At a Glance
Across Navajo Nation communities and the Town of Bluff, families who lost their homes or were cut off by record flooding are still waiting for help. Elders are sleeping in crowded chapter houses without a place to shower, parents are running low on diapers and warm clothes for their children, and some families can’t be reached at all.
This week, Utah Navajo chapter leaders reached out to state officials, who are only beginning to assess the situation. In the meantime, families are still waiting for help. Voices for Utah Children has launched the Utah Navajo Nation Flood Relief Fund so neighbors can step in and help directly.
Voices Contact: Talia Hansen,
Families Are Still Waiting for Flood Relief
The water is going down. The need has not.
In late October, record flooding on the San Juan River displaced families and cut off homes across Utah Navajo Nation communities and the Town of Bluff. Families in Montezuma Creek, Aneth, Dennehotso, Rock Point, and Bluff, were evacuated in the middle of the night. The heavy rains took out small bridges along the wash in Sweet Water, and Mexican Water sustained damages to homes.
Today, chapter houses, the local government offices of the Navajo Nation, along with community centers, have become shelters and supply hubs. Homes have been flooded, and Elders and families have been rescued and are staying in temporary shelters. Families in more remote areas are trapped, with washed-out dirt roads leaving many households unreachable.
Sewage pipes have been damaged, contaminating the water. This has presented a struggle in accessing water and showers. Parents with young children need diapers, wipes and warm clothes as cold weather has set in. Additional storms are anticipated in the next few days.
Voices for Utah Children along with our community partners have launched the Utah Navajo Nation Flood Relief Fund to get these families what they need. This page is the place to find out what's needed, where your donation goes, and how to help. We'll keep it updated as the relief effort continues.
Volunteers at USU Blanding are sorting donations for flood-affected families. Funds are still needed to provide shelter, meals and transportation for families who need it most.
The Gap That Needs Filling: Help Us Close It
Many people assume the county or the State of Utah is helping these families. These communities have not yet received the county and state assistance they urgently need, leaving local leaders, volunteers and donors working to fill the gap. This week, Utah Navajo chapter leaders reached out to state officials, who are only beginning to assess the situation. In the meantime, families are still waiting for help.
Relief organizations in Arizona and New Mexico are doing important work, with their efforts focused primarily on communities in their own states.
That leaves communities served from the Utah side, on both sides of the state line, falling through the cracks. Your donation will help us close that gap. Learn more about what’s needed and where your help goes below.
HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS
Your donation covers what can’t be dropped off in a box:
- Hotel rooms so elders can rest and shower
- Hot meals for elders and relief workers
- Fuel for deliveries and firewood for heat
- ATVs and side-by-sides to reach families cut off by washed-out roads
SUPPLIES & DONATIONS NEEDED (drop off at USU Blanding)
Utah State University Blanding is collecting donated supplies at its Career & Technical Education (CTE) Building located at 860 S. Main Street, Blanding, UT 84511.
Drop-offs are accepted Oct. 29–30 and Nov. 2–6, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Here is a list of new and unused supplies that are needed:
WHERE YOUR DONATION WILL GO
All funds raised go directly to the relief effort. Voices for Utah Children uses donations to buy what chapter houses have asked for, and our team on the ground delivers it with local partners.
Communities receiving help:
- Aneth Chapter
- Mexican Water Chapter
- Red Mesa Chapter
- Sweetwater (Tolikan) Chapter
- Teec Nos Pos Chapter
- Dennehotso Chapter
- Rock Point Chapter
- Town of Bluff
OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND
- Navajo Nation: Leads and directs the community relief effort.
- Utah State University Blanding: Runs the donation hub where supplies are received, sorted and prepared.
- Utah Navajo Trust Fund: Transports and delivers supplies to chapter houses and the Town of Bluff.
- Utah Navajo Health System: Provides health support and shelter care.
- Chapter houses of Aneth, Mexican Water, Red Mesa, Sweetwater (Tolikan), Teec Nos Pos, Dennehotso and Rock Point, and the Town of Bluff: Distribute supplies to families based on local needs
- Warm Elders: Supplies firewood to help elders and families stay warm, with donations supporting fuel for wood deliveries and transporting donated supplies from the Moab area.
- Bluff Community Foundation: Raises funds to support flood relief for families in Bluff and neighboring communities.
Each chapter house and the Town of Bluff will distribute supplies to families based on local needs.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Donate. Give directly to the Utah Navajo Nation Flood Relief Fund to cover what can’t be dropped off in a box.
Volunteer. The USU Blanding Donation Hub needs seven volunteers per shift during the week of November 2–6, 2026, at the USU Career & Technical Education (CTE) Building. Morning shifts (8:30 AM–12:00 PM) handle donation intake and sorting; afternoon shifts (12:30–4:00 PM) handle inventory and distribution prep.
Drop Off Supplies. Bring new, unused items to the USU Blanding CTE Building (860 S. Main Street, Blanding, UT 84511). Drop-offs are accepted Oct. 29–30 and Nov. 2–6, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Help Feed Volunteers. Businesses, groups, and individuals can sponsor lunch for volunteers. To arrange for a lunch donation, please contact Talia Hansen at
Share This Page. Many people don't know these communities are being left behind. Sharing this page helps.
Questions?
Please contact Talia Hansen at
