Flagstaff school bus gets stuck in sinkhole as recent storms put immense pressure on area infrustructure
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - No one was injured when a school bus in Flagstaff got stuck in a sinkhole on Friday morning.
The Flagstaff Unified School District says the incident happened on March 23 when the bus was driving on Slayton Ranch Road near the Doney Park neighborhood.
No students were on board the bus. The driver wasn't hurt.
"This morning water flows compromised the culvert at the Rio de Flag crossing of Slayton Ranch Rd," a Coconino County official said. "These river-like flows caused a portion of the roadway to collapse at this location."
Slayton Ranch Road will be closed until crews can repair it.
Residents on the north side of the wash can use Neptune Road to access Silver Saddle Road. Those on the south side should use Townsend to access Winona Road.
Recent storms putting infrastructures under big stress, officials say
Officials in Coconino County, where the aforementioned incident happened, said recent rain and snowmelt is putting massive pressure on roads and pipes.
"These flood flows are just exceeding the capacity of our infrastructure," said Coconino County Public Works Director Christopher Tressler. "We are seeing more run off than we have in at least 25 years."
Tressler said crews are working around the clock to monitor roadways. Several roads are already closed.
Meanwhile, the storms are eroding streets, as well as Coconino County's budget.
According to county leaders, they are facing around a million dollars in damages, with an estimated $800,000 on one project alone. If that prediction is true, officials say the price tag for repairs will well exceed their budget. Officials say they are in contact with the state, as they look at offsetting the cost of repairs, including possible ADOT grants.
A State of Emergency has yet to be declared, but discussions are underway if that is a possible next step.