ADOT staff at Grand Canyon National Park Airport leaped to action during flood

Operated by ADOT, Grand Canyon National Park Airport is an essential part of the community of Tusayan near the South Rim. Those ties were on full display recently when a flash flood swept into the town, covering State Route 64 and flooding some hotels and businesses.

Airport personnel sprung to action and worked from afternoon until close to midnight to help their neighbors. 

The airport’s terminal was converted to a temporary Red Cross shelter for those cut off from their homes. Fortunately, only a handful of people needed to take refuge there. 

Among those pitching in was airport firefighter Bruce Baker, who put on personal protective equipment and assisted with traffic control. Firefighter Jimelia Talasyousiea washed and dried her own blankets for use in the terminal shelter, while she and Airport Manager Warren Smith moved water bottles into the shelter and helped set up barricades to keep people from driving onto unsafe roads.

At the Incident Command set up at Tusayan Town Hall, Nathan Carroll, Deputy Director of ADOT’s Administrative Services Division, coordinated the efforts of airport personnel with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. 

Meanwhile, ADOT maintenance workers from Williams brought in snowplows and backhoes to clear debris and water so SR 64 could reopen through town. 

Nathan summed up ADOT’s involvement as follows: “If not for everyone's efforts, many people would have not been able to go home that night, including the local school with students from Tusayan, the airport and Valle. The town officials and law enforcement both expressed to me their sincere thanks.”

This is a great reminder that ADOT employees are part of the communities they serve. The dedication on display in Tusayan that day is in the finest traditions of this agency.