OAK CREEK CANYON — Business owners in Oak Creek Canyon say they are trying to hold on to hope after a string of natural disasters in less than six months, with State Route 89A still closed north of Slide Rock State Park during what should be one of their busiest seasons.
The Arizona Department of Transportation has reopened the highway up to the Slide Rock area after last weekend’s flooding. But the road remains closed north of the park, where several stores and resorts are located, according to AZFamily.
The canyon was first hit by the Pocket Fire, which closed SR 89A this summer. Post-wildfire flooding later closed Oak Creek. Then heavy rain last weekend sent floodwaters toward homes and businesses again.
“I was just so optimistic about the future,” said Jennifer Kittredge, whose family owns the Forest Houses Resort. She said the resort’s finances suffered over the summer and the family had hoped to make some of that up during the fall color season.
Kittredge said floodwater came over the deck of one of the resort’s houses and into the home. “This flood was something that I’ve never personally seen before, and I’ve lived here my entire life of 33 years,” she said.
Tim Carter, Coconino County’s emergency services director, said there is “considerable damage to the roadway infrastructure” in the switchbacks. He said officials are working on a plan to determine whether local and business traffic can reach some unaffected areas.
Kittredge said her family is grateful only one house was damaged because some neighbors were hit harder. “We all just work together, and we come together in events like these,” she said.
Drivers can check current SR 89A restrictions at az511.gov or by calling 511.
Sources: AZFamily. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Coconino National Forest / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
