Navajo Nation Floods Displace Residents; Texas Driver Delivers Supplies

Navajo Nation officials reported that recent flooding damaged 500 homes and prompted 200 evacuations, with more than 150 residents staying in shelters as waters recede across Shiprock and neighboring communities.

One family at a donation center had gone five days without running water, and officials said families continue to address property damage and shortages of basic necessities.

Virginia Kirk opened her business, The Mod, to collect and distribute donations in Shiprock, with supplies also routed to smaller nearby communities affected by the flooding. "We have so many challenges here, and then when a disaster comes through, like the flooding, it kind of piles on," Kirk said.

The center off Highway 64 in Shiprock accepts donations and provides aid to flood-affected residents. Arthur Gonzalez drove from Kerrville, Texas, with a trailer full of supplies after flooding hit his hometown in July last year. "I do this out of my own heart, or we do this out of our own hearts," Gonzalez said.

Kirk said the assistance reflected cross-community support. "It's just community helping communities," she said.