Photos of Southern Arizona's devastating floods of 1983
The October 1983 flood was the largest flood of record in the Tucson area.
Between 6 ½ to 7 ½ inches of rain fell across the Tucson area in five days, according to Pima County.
The devastation stretched to Clifton/Morenci, Willcox, Safford and Nogales. More than a dozen people died.
October 1983 flood
A building crumbles into the Rillito during October flooding in the El Niño year of 1983.
Floods of October, 1983
A Tucson subdivision at Prince and I-10 was caked in mud by Santa Cruz River in October 1983.
Flooding in October, 1983
Three men float in inner tubes along the Rillito River on Oct. 4, 1983. Photo by Joy Wolf / Arizona Daily Star
Flooding in October, 1983
Water surges in the Santa Cruz River at the St. Mary's Road bridge on Oct. 2, 1983.
Flooding in 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.
Floods of October, 1983
Nogales, Ariz,. police officers rescue Oscar Mankel. 32, with a garden hose from swirling waters of the flooded Santa Cruz River on Oct. 2, 1983, after Mankel fell in. A total of 13 lives were lost in flooding that ravaged much of southern Arizona. October 2, 1983.
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
The old lighthouse and adjacent building were ravaged by the overflowing Rillito River on Oct. 3, 1983.
Floods of October, 1983
Onlookers watch the flooded Rillito River from the north bank at 1st Ave. on Oct. 2, 1983. Photo by Alan Dorow / 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 October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River near Safford, Ariz., in 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz., in October, 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz., in October, 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz., in October, 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz., in October, 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz., in October, 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Rillito River flood rages as onlookers watch. October, 1983. Arizona Daily Star 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 Tucson. October, 1983. Arizona Daily Star file photo.
Floods of October, 1983
Santa Cruz flooding with CDO Wash dry at bottom. October 4, 1983 Photo by Joan Rennick / Tucson Citizen
Floods of October, 1983
Ed Coatts found his motorcycle in axle-deep water in Willcox Monday, but he got it started and drove it through the torrent. October 5, 1983. Photo by Mari A. Schaefer / Tucson Citizen.
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Arizona National Guard helps evacuees. Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Wreckage of a Arizona Dept. of Public Safety helicopter that crashed during the flooding. Two officers died. Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Floods of October, 1983
Flooding in Marana after the Santa Cruz River overflowed its banks in Oct. 1983. Tucson Citizen file photo
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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