Flash flooding in the Grand Canyon's South Rim killed three people in August and also cut off the water supply for nearly 2,000 people who live and work in the area. Now, volunteers and nonprofits are working to restore it.

Rescuers were able to save 80 people from a devastating slot canyon flood in the Grand Canyon in August. The flood also cut off the water supply for about 2,000 people who live and work in Grand Canyon Village, including the only K-12 school in a national park.

Image

Mindy Riesenberg, chief communications officer for the Grand Canyon Conservancy, said her nonprofit has people on the ground to ask residents what they need.

"We've worked with partners to make those services available to them. Just being there as a community partner because of the mental and emotional toll that this takes on all of the people that live and work at the South Rim," Riesenberg explained.

The Grand Canyon Conservancy has held community dinners and helped with cleanup and other recovery efforts after the flood. Officials hope to have the water source repaired in November. Until it happens, Riesenberg noted the group is working with volunteers to provide water access to residents and businesses in Grand Canyon Village.

"Grand Canyon Conservancy helped to facilitate and donate jugs of water that people on the South Rim can use to wash their hands, wash themselves off, to cook with," Riesenberg outlined.

The National Park Service is also trucking in as much as 200,000 gallons of water a day to the South Rim to help keep water levels consistent. Until the water supply is fixed, officials are asking people to conserve water as much as possible, as the area remains open for tourists.