CHINLU — Navajo Nation officials Sunday ordered some residents of Chinle to evacuate after floodwaters filled laundry, overrunning embankments and an earthen dam.

However, many residents have refused to evict because they want to protect their property and livestock, they said.

Tribal officials said water from Lake Zaile and Lake Wheatfields flowed into the Chinle Wash.

The tribe declared a state of emergency on January 19 after heavy snow fell on parts of its vast reservation, which covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, leaving flooding and muddy roads. .

Then the recent thaw filled the lake and drained water in Chinlu, which has a population of about 4,500.

Navajo Nation police and Apache County crews were trying to move the small-town residents to higher ground.

Drones were used to monitor flooding, and volunteers were filling sandbags for residents.

Officials said no deaths have been reported.