OAK CREEK CANYON, AZ — Coconino County officials say dozens of campers were stranded for days due to flooding in the area of Cave Springs Campground.
According to officials, 65 campers were stuck inside the campground area, located near Oak Creek Canyon about 30 minutes north of Sedona, since Sunday due to high water over a low water crossing.
Gunja Maskay, a Phoenix-area mother who went to the campground for her children’s fall break, said she hopes they get some help soon. She told ABC15 she and her family were supposed to leave Monday. They’ve been sleeping in the car, waiting for help to come or for the water levels to recede.
However, in order for them to leave, debris would need to be cleared from the one bridge that can get them in and out of the campground.
“Anxiety is just growing, I think, every day as we sit here and wait and not getting much response,” Maskay said.
Tanja Hooper, from Apache Junction, said she and her husband came up for the weekend to camp. Hooper said none of the campers had planned to be out here this long. While they still have some food, they’re hoping to get more soon as they’ve started rationing some supplies.
“I know my husband is running low on his medications. We already did some taking half doses last night just to make sure, you know, and so hopefully we’ll be able to get out of here soon enough,” Hooper said.
All of the campers are said to be in good condition and safe, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.
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A food and supply drop was coordinated for Tuesday, October 13, due to the water levels remaining too high to allow campers to safely leave the area and their vehicles and trailers. Officials say this was to ensure campers have access to food and essential supplies while they remain at the campground.
Watch as crews deliver food to the stranded campers in the player above.
Campers would be able to leave the area once water levels recede to a safe level, debris is cleared from the bridge, and the bridge has been inspected to confirm it is safe for vehicle traffic.
Some campers who were stranded were eventually allowed to leave the area Tuesday night, as water has receded and the affected bridge was cleared, a campground host told ABC15. The remainder of the campers are expected to leave the area Wednesday.
Hear from one of the stranded campers, who spoke to us prior to Tuesday’s food drop, in the player below.
The Coconino County National Forest website currently lists the campground as “temporarily closed.”
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said the Arizona Department of Public Safety and US Forest Service helped with efforts as well.
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