Photos: Tucson has had some devastating floods in the past
The October 1983 flood was the largest flood of record in the Tucson area.
Between 6½ to 7½ inches of rain fell across the area in five days. The devastation stretched to Clifton/Morenci, Willcox, Safford and Nogales. More than a dozen people died.
Almost 10 years later Tucson was hit again when heavy rains over many days in January, 1993, resulted in flooding throughout Tucson and Southern Arizona.
The flooding was not as bad as the 1983 floods and no lives were lost, but property damage was considerable.
Floods of October, 1983
A Tucson subdivision at Prince and I-10Â was caked in mud by Santa Cruz River in October 1983.Â
Floods of 1993
Aerial view of a Boeing 747 stranded in floodwaters at the end of the runway at Pinal Airpark. January 8, 1993.
Floods of October, 1983
Two dogs lounged outside the Alpine Lodge in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon after the main street was washed out due to flooding on Oct. 4, 1983. Photo by Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star
Floods of 1993
This farm was one of several south of Pinal Air Park in Avra Valley that was inundated with water from the banks of the Santa Cruz. January 9, 1993.
October 1983 flood
A building crumbles into the Rillito during October flooding in the El Niño year of 1983.
Floods of 1993
1 of 3 pics- A backyard shed clings to the eroding bank of the Rillito just west of Craycroft Road. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
2 of 3 pics- Shed loses its precarious grip and plunges into the Rillito. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
3 of 3 pics- Shed is finally swept away by rolling water of Rillito- along with a big chunk of yard- while its owners watch from a safe distance. January 9, 1993.
Floods of October, 1983
Riverview Country Homes at 3750 N. Country Club are threatened by high water on Oct. 3, 1983. Photo by Emmet Jordan / Arizona Daily Star
Floods of October, 1983
People on horseback saunter down a flooded street in Willcox, Ariz. on Oct. 3, 1983. Photo by Joe Patronite / Arizona Daily Star
Floods of 1993
Wash Gives Back What It Claimed- A car is revealed by receding waters in Canada del Oro Wash. Nobody was hurt when it was washed away. January 13, 1993. Photo by Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen.
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River near Safford, Ariz., in 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
One of many bridges destroyed by flooding on the Santa Cruz and Rillito rivers. October 1983. Arizona Daily Star file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
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