Event narrative (NOAA)
Heavy rain from thunderstorms over the Cataract Creek and Havasu Creek drainages caused flash flooding that started in the Village of Supai around 11:30 PM on August 16. Radar estimated between 3 and 4 inches of rain over several square miles in the Cataract Creek drainage during the afternoon. Additional heavy rain from thunderstorms on August 17 continued heavy run off into the canyon. Cataract Canyon/Creek becomes Havasu Canyon/Creek at Havasu Springs about a mile upstream from the Village of Supai. This very popular destination for tourists was closed for at least 6 months because of the heavy damage caused by the flash flooding.
Other notable flash flood events in Arizona
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.