Severe Floods in Arizona Result in Four Fatalities

At least four individuals have died following torrential rains causing severe flooding in Arizona. The deluge has also led to a dangerous situation involving numerous propane tanks scattered across a small community heavily affected by the waters.

Three fatalities occurred in Globe, a historic mining town with a population of approximately 7,250, located around 88 miles east of Phoenix. According to Carl Melford, Gila County's emergency chief, two victims were found inside a submerged car, and a third was discovered in the flooded waters.

Meanwhile, an additional victim was located Saturday morning near an empty vehicle found stranded in floodwaters the previous night in a suburban area of Phoenix. The Scottsdale Fire Department noted that the car was partially submerged in swift currents at a local greenbelt park. Early Saturday, the water receded enough for crews to retrieve a body trapped beneath a footbridge.

Authorities in Globe, a storied mining center in Arizona, are investigating possible missing person reports. Despite several inquiries, there is no precise count provided yet, according to Melford.

In response, a significant search and rescue operation has been initiated, as stated by Melford. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded its highest single-day rainfall in nearly eight years on Friday, contributing to the extensive flooding in the region.

The ferocious downpour swiftly inundated Globe’s central areas. A propane tank storage site was among the first to be compromised, releasing about 1,000 tanks into the urban landscape. Melford confirmed the presence of propane tanks throughout the area, but fortunately, none caught fire or exploded.

Having faced floods before, notably in 2021 after a wildfire event, the magnitude and suddenness of this rainfall were unprecedented, Melford emphasized.

Local authorities are advising residents against venturing into the floodwaters. Search and rescue teams, accompanied by K9 units, risk being misled by human scents, which could hinder recovery operations. Melford suggests people help nearby residents and friends as a safe alternative.

In response to the disaster, Globe’s city council declared a state of emergency, describing the flooding's extent as unlike anything experienced before.

Numerous volunteers have come forward, Mayor Al Gamero reported, although parts of the downtown area sustained significant damage. Officials are urging people to avoid the district until it is deemed secure.

Our immediate concern remains search and rescue, declared Mayor Gamero during a statement on Saturday.