Morenci High School - Copper Cat Yearbook (Morenci, AZ)

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Before boarding the rescue helicopter, a man is helped onto the roof from the second story balcony of the Rode lnn Motel. A partially demolished Sears building stands among the wreckage in the aftermath of the storm. l iv ' 'I 1, il t. .5 i 3 -.3 Q, .aww -.,.:cff f ..- ings Q 3 - .. .i.....--... The Flood of ,83 Five days of rain causes devastating damage This was the flood Clifton-Morenci residents will always remember . . , the flood that destroyed the old bridge in North Clifton along with nu- merous homes and businesses throughout the town the flood that sealed off Morenci from the rest of the world for two days . . . the flood that canceled the annual game between the Trojans and the Wildcats and ultimately caused Clifton to for- feit the remainder of its football schedule . , . the flood that prevented the Wildcat volleyball teams from re- turning home after a match in Will- cox. This was the flood we'll talk about for years to come and which will be used as a standard of comparison for future floods. Although we knew there was the possibility the raging San Francisco River might overflow its banks as it had done several times in the past, no one expected the massive flooding that actually occurred during the weekend of October 1 and 2. We first became aware of the dan- ger when students living in Clifton and 6 Flood of '83 York Valley were summoned from classes Friday afternoon, September 30. I was told the river might go over the bridge at approximately 3:O0, remembered Lorraine Moya, and Mrs. Windsor suggested I go home immediately. Because of the flood danger and an extremely wet football field at Clifton High School, the annual copper ingot game between the two arch-rivals was rescheduled Friday afternoon to be played at Morenci the next night. By Saturday evening, however, the foot- ball game was the last thing on any- one's mind as Clifton was buried un- der eight feet of water and tons of mud and sand. The San Francisco River had jumped its banks Saturday afternoon at 2:30. Washouts on most roads in South- ern Arizona made travel between towns virtually impossible for several days and many Morenci residents found themselves unable to get home. Many teachers, including Mr. Roy Faulkner, found themselyes on the wrong side of the river. Determined to get back to Morenci, Mr. Faulkner hiked to the old black bridge by ml picnic area and walked across it Some people on the other side ther' gave him a ride to town. Reminiscin Mr. Faulkner said: It was quite a experience! The bridge is an old rai road trestle without any sides. inched my way across the steel beam with my arms held tightly to my side Below me, the water was roaring u der the bridge taking trees and othe debris with it. It was about the scaries predicament I've ever been in. Morenci's volleyball teams, retur ing from a match in Willcox, wer unable to get home. Volunteering t house the girls until the bridge r opened, athletic director Tom Po ers and his wife had 44 houseguest for two days at their York Valle home. lt was like a big slumber pa ty, stated Mr. Powers. The kid made beds out of anything they coul find. School in Morenci was canceled f two days as local students and teac ers assisted with the cleanup. Clifto schools remained closed for tw weeks until power, water, an

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