State, U.S. funds sought; cleanup cost elusive

However, coming up with a cost to repair and clean up the damage wasn't.

"We are too early in the game to have definitive numbers," said John Farlow, spokesman for the county's Office of Emergency Management.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors declared a disaster Tuesday, clearing the way for state and possibly federal funding. Crews with county agencies canvassed the region to clear roads and debris, inspect flooded homes and put a dollar tab on the damage.

Across the county Tuesday, portions of more than 30 roads remained closed. Catalina Highway on Mount Lemmon was reduced to one lane and open only to residents and merchants, said Ben Goff, deputy director of the county's Department of Transportation. About a 1,000 feet of the Trico-Marana Road was washed out in Marana, just west of Avra Valley.

In northwest Marana, two homes had damage, and river runoff caused an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 in damage to an agricultural field, said Mike Reuwsaat, Marana's town manager.

With portions of many roads still washed out, officials were focusing on any rural areas that may have been cut off.

"This is such a big county there might be some areas that someone is isolated," said Suzanne Shields, director of the county's Flood Control District.

No residents have had to be rescued from their home, but Shields made it clear the region's recovery will take time.

"Those areas where the roads have been cut off are our top priorities," she said. "In a few areas, it is so muddy we might not get equipment out for days."

Sabino Canyon washed out

A day after Sabino Canyon's main road was washed out by heavy mountain runoff, officials with Coronado National Forest made their first trek through the canyon.

They got as far as Bridge One, said John Able, acting spokes-man for the forest.

There, "the water was still too high to cross," he said.

If the weather holds, he said, officials hope to make it up the 3.7-mile canyon road by Friday.

With a chance of showers for the rest of the week, that is uncertain.

The region is saturated, and any amount of rain could raise water levels and extend flooding, he said.

Although the park's visitor center and parking lot remain open, much of the park is not.

The trams that normally run up the canyon are closed indefinitely. The canyon's trails are officially open, "but getting to them is almost impossible," Able said.

Like many other officials, Able said it was too soon to know a figure for damage.

"The water is still flowing fast enough that nobody can get into the canyon to survey the damage," he said.

Awaking to the rush of water

Pam Bauerlein woke up early Sunday because the front door had blown open at her home just off North Kolb Road and North Sabino Canyon Road. Half asleep, she shut the door and went back to bed. But the door blew open, and again she got up to close it.

It was then she felt the rush of water beneath her feet.

"It still wasn't dawning on me," she said.

Her husband, Mike, awoke to help her, and it was then they noticed the torrent of water rushing past their front door.

Between Sunday and Monday morning, the Bauerleins' home was flooded with about a foot and a half of water, covering their 10-acre ranch in mud.

Cleanup could take three to six months and could cost $100,000, Pam Bauerlein said.

Despite the loss, the Bauerleins are lucky. Their home is covered by flood insurance.

While others in Tucson have suffered flood damage, not everyone has had flood insurance, said LuWanna Nielson, spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance.

Nielson said the company has received a steady flow of claims from the Tucson area. Some have been made under homeowners insurance, which does not cover flooding, she said.

Bauerlein said she is concerned that her flood insurance will not cover all their damage, but she's thankful her family is OK.

"Our children and family are all fine," she said.

As the work on their ranch begins, the Bauerleins, who have three children, have found temporary housing. They are also relying on an outpouring of support from family and friends at Catalina Foothills Church.

"It could be so much worse," she said. "I have to remind myself we got out of here pretty easily compared to what it could have been."

Chance of showers ahead

For the rest of the week, the National Weather Service is calling for a 30 percent chance of showers with highs in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s, said meteorologist Greg Mollere.

While there could be more rain, Mollere said it won't be nearly as severe as the past five days, which delivered 3.83 inches at the Tucson International Airport with significantly higher amounts in around the Catalina Mountains.

"We're not anticipating seeing anything like we've seen over the last few days," he said.

Farlow, of the county's emergency management office, said he thought the county would have a better picture of flood damage by Friday.

"Depending on the way the weather goes, I would hope by the end of the week that we would have a little bit clearer picture as to where we are at," he said.

On StarNet Find slide shows, reader photo galleries and more monsoon coverage, including safety tips from experts, at azstarnet.com/monsoon

● If your home has been damaged by the recent downpours, Pima County's Office of Emergency Management provides free inspections. The office also provides referrals to the American Red Cross. For more information, call 798-0600.