Heavy rain and flooding triggered evacuations, road closures and emergency responses across parts of Arizona on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Flagstaff police and fire crews were searching late Sunday for a person who disappeared in fast-moving floodwaters; no further information was immediately available.
Residents were ordered to leave homes in Sedona as rising water threatened communities. Flash flooding in Oak Creek Canyon prompted evacuation orders and rescue operations as water surrounded vehicles and approached homes.
More south and east, residents near waterways in Camp Verde and parts of Gila County were also told to evacuate. Flooding also forced the closure of several state highways as authorities warned drivers to avoid flooded roads, washes and low-water crossings.
Flooding could be seen in this photo posted by the Verde Valley Fire District.
Evacuations in Sedona
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On Oct. 31, the National Weather Service office in Flagstaff announced on social media that overnight flood risks could be a possibility heading into Nov. 1.
At 5:37 a.m. on Nov. 1, residents in northern Arizona received a flood warning due to the excessive rainfall that was expected.
Flash flooding in Oak Creek Canyon eventually triggered mass evacuation orders in Sedona at 7:45 a.m. Zones eight, nine and 10 were ordered to evacuate to Sedona Red Rock High School, according to a post on Facebook.
The city of Sedona went on to warn residents to stay away from creek beds and washes, as well as not to cross when rushing water was on the road.
With an "excessive amount" of rescue operations occurring in the Sedona area, the Sedona Fire Department requested additional personnel to help, according to the department's post on social media.
A video provided by the fire department showed vehicles stuck in the floods and rushing water nearly reaching the front door of multiple homes.
Evacuations ordered in Gila County
Some residents of northern Gila County were being asked to evacuate immediately, including the entire community of Gisela, according to a Gila County Public Health and Community Services Facebook post.
Efforts were underway to open an emergency shelter in Payson, the post said. The confirmed location and opening information would be announced shortly, according to the post.
The Gisela Community Center remained open for Gisela residents. Gisela is in Gila County near Payson.
In Tonto Basin, residents in these areas had “go” status: Greenback Valley RV Park, Lower end of Lazy JR, Lower end of Sleepy Hollow RV Park. Those residents were directed to Tonto Basin Elementary School for shelter.
Officials urged people to avoid washes, low-water crossings and flooded roads. Anyone trapped by rising water or facing an immediate emergency should call 911.
Emergency evacuation in Yavapai County
Residents living in the Camp Verde area needed to evacuate immediately, the Camp Verde Marshal's Office announced on Facebook around noon on Nov. 1. Camp Verde is in central Arizona in Yavapai County between Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Residents near the Verde River, West Clear Creek and Wet Beaver Creek were under "go" status due to the flooding, the Marshal's Office said.
Temporary shelters were set up at the Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Gym near Main and Hollamon streets, according to the Marshal's Office.
Residents of Clarkdale who live near the river on Siesta, River Drive, Rincon, Rio and the Farm at Bent River were asked by town officials to prepare to evacuate, according to a Clarkdale Facebook post.
An emergency shelter was set up at the Town Hall Clubhouse near Main and Ninth streets in Clarkdale.
Tuzigoot River Access Point and Lower TAPCO River Access Point were also closed due to flooding, the post said. Clarkdale officials asked residents to use caution near flooded areas and to not attempt to drive through flooded roadways, the post said.
Highways closed due to flooding
The Arizona Department of Transportation shut down multiple highways, mostly in northern Arizona, due to significant rainfall and flooding.
ADOT reopened I-17 in both directions after severe rainfall and flooding forced the agency to close the freeway in northern Arizona.
The highways that were still closed were:
State Route 89A between Sedona and Kachina Village (mileposts 375-397)
State Route 73 between Indian Pine and White River (mileposts 357-351)
State Route 238 between Maricopa and Gila Bend
ADOT was also responding to rockfall incidents across northern Arizona.
Real-time highway conditions are available at az511.gov, the AZ511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511.
