From Seattletimes · · 1m 30s
Navajo flood claims three lives including 7-year-old
Three generations of a Navajo family swept away in flash floods as a 7-year-old prepares for her 8th birthday.
In brief
Three generations of a Navajo family swept away in flash floods as a 7-year-old prepares for her 8th birthday. Three people died in Navajo Nation flash floods including a 7-year-old girl who was preparing for her 8th birthday party. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Three generations swept away
Three generations of a Navajo family were heading home from picking up supplies for an 8th birthday party when their truck got stuck in mud as storms with heavy rain rolled through the area.
Grandmother and granddaughter swept away
The water rose quickly. Soon the grandmother and granddaughter, along with a friend they had called for help, were swept away in the floodwaters while trying to cross a wash.
Three deaths confirmed
Elsie Begay, her granddaughter Lucy Allison Mike, and Begay’s best friend Dora Franklin died in the flood Tuesday near Newcomb, New Mexico, a community of about 400 people, family members said Friday.
Family member's tribute
‘I think she was just wanting to get home,’ said Stella Wilson, Begay’s niece.
“I think she was just wanting to get home”
State of emergency declared
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren declared a state of emergency Friday as some communities remained isolated by standing water and road damage and rain continued to fall.
Roads and shelters impacted
About 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Newcomb in the small community of Mexican Springs, flooding made many dirt and gravel roads impassable, stranding some families and leaving others unable to reach home.
The key point
Three people died in Navajo Nation flash floods including a 7-year-old girl who was preparing for her 8th birthday party.
