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Evacuations lifted for parts of Camp Verde amid severe flooding
Residents along the Verde River, Beaver Creek, and West Clear Creek can return home. Water levels remain high, so residents are advised to be careful.
YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. - People who were told to evacuate from various parts of Northern Arizona due to flooding on Mar. 22 are returning home to flooded properties on Mar. 23.
On Mar. 22, Winter weather advisories were issued for parts of central, northwest and northeast Arizona with the Flagstaff area forecast to get up to 3 inches of snow.
Almost every waterway in Yavapai County and in neighboring Gila County was flooded, according to the National Weather Service.
"This is probably the craziest I have ever seen it," says Lisa Page. "This is the highest it’s been, so we have a lot of people who want to look at the river right now, and it's very interesting."
Playground equipment was carried away in the water, while backyard decks soon became docks. Fortunately for Page, she lives further inland, but she’s trying to do the neighborly thing and offer a helping hand.
"I live in a place where I am not on the river, so if anybody has horses and wants to bring them to my house, they are welcome to. We have lots of room for different horses around here if anybody needs it. We care about our animals," Page said.
"It was awful," said Charles Cole. "We were watching the river come up, of course, and it comes up to the bank, and then generally just threatens us."
"It came up so quick that I called a couple of friends of mine. I had about 10 people here and they just started pulling stuff out," said Mike McReynolds.
People slowly returning to their homes
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Camp Verde residents return to damaged homes following severe flooding
After they were told to evacuate due to flooding, residents in parts of Camp Verde are returning home to some considerable damages and mess left behind by floodwaters. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas reports.
As evacuation orders lift, people in Camp Verde are returning to a bit of a mess that was left behind by floodwaters.
"I just wasn't prepared for something like this," said McReynolds.
McReynolds had to immediately take on a project the seconf he opened the front door to his home.
"It's destroyed," said McReynolds. "I got water in 6 inches at least, so we have to pull everything out. The carpet and all the walls, we have to redo."
Cole, McReynolds' next-door neighbor, is dealing with lesser damage. His home sits on higher ground.
"All the fencing now is pushed over, and it's going to be hectic to get cleaned and put back up, but it's something we got to do," said Cole.
Flood warnings
Flood Warnings in effect:
- Areas along Tonto Creek, Hassayampa, Salt, Verde and New Rivers, particularly along Granite Reef Dam
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said there is major flooding near Rimrock, Lake Montezuma and areas along Wet Beaver Creek.
Evacuation orders
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Floodwaters from recent winter storm prompt evacuations in various parts of Arizona
Another winter storm has brought a lot of rain to various parts of Arizona, and on Mar. 22, floodwaters have resulted in evacuation orders being issued for a number of communities across the state. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas, Linda Williams, and Nicole Garcia report.
Evacuations are in effect for the following areas:
- Cottonwood residents on Bates Road with standing water
Areas in SET status, which means residents need to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice:
- Cottonwood and Bridgeport residents in low-lying areas along the Verde River
- Sedona
- Cornville at low elevations along Oak Creek including Lo Lo Mai, Sunrise RV Resort and low-lying houses in Lower Oak Creek Estates
Call 911 for emergencies and if you need information on weather or evacuation orders, you're asked to call the phone bank at 928-442-5103.
More information on emergency orders for Yavapai County can be found here.
More information on emergency orders for Coconino County can be found here.
Besides prompting evacuations, floodwaters are causing concerns over its impact on human health, as officials in the Prescott area believe water in nearby creeks could be contaminated with leaking sewage.
Officials did say, however, that drinking water won't be impacted, as it is in a closed system in Prescott.
Crews were working to clean up Granite Creek Park in the Prescott area on Mar. 22. That is where officials believe the contamination happened.
Evacuation center map:
Road closures
The following highways are closed due to "adverse weather" and rockslides, according to the Arizona Dept. of Transportation.
- SR 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff (MP 375-398)
Coconino National Forest issued closures in the areas of:
- West Fork/Call of the Canyon
- Grasshopper Day Use
- Chavez Group Camp
- Beaver Creek Day Use
Footage of flooded bodies of water:
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Oak Creek flooding in Sedona
Ricardo Baca caught a video in Sedona at Oak Creek on March 21 of flooding running through areas where residents are on high alert. More rain and snow are expected throughout Arizona, including in Sedona.
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Yavapai County experiencing severely swelled, fast moving rivers
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Looking at the rain and flooding across Arizona that's prompted some evacuations
The AP contributed to this report.