Two weeks after officials were worried a dam on the Tohono O’odham Nation would overflow, the evacuation notice for area residents has been lifted.
The scare came on Oct. 3, after rainfall from remnants of Tropical Storm Rosa hit Southern Arizona. The 22-foot earthen Menagers Dam didn’t overflow, and many repairs have since been made to prevent it from doing so.
According to weather officials, the area near Ali Chuk received up to 7 inches of rain within a 3-day period. Roads were initially impassable due to flooding.
The community of Ali Chuk is home to more than 100 people. Due to the possible threat of flooding, which was originally described as imminent, more than 20 residents were evacuated to emergency shelters. Others refused to leave or left on their own.
Another 30 residents of the Kohatk village were also evacuated.
As of Tuesday, the evacuation notice for both communities was lifted and residents were able to return home, according to a news release. Some community members from Kohatk, however, remain in the shelter.
More than 60 homes on the Tohono O’odham Nation were damaged. Public buildings and roadways were also assessed for damage.
Despite the evacuation notice being lifted, officials are continuing to monitor the status of the dam. Inspections and ongoing operations are planned to help reduce the water levels to keep it from flooding again.
