Officials reported that four individuals have lost their lives following severe flooding triggered by heavy rains in Arizona. Some residents from a rural area were forced to seek refuge on their rooftops for safety.
In a small town with a population of around 7,250, located 88 miles east of Phoenix, three fatalities were confirmed. Gila County Emergency Manager Carl Melford stated that two victims were discovered in a vehicle, while another was found in the floodwaters, though their identities remain undisclosed.
On Saturday morning, authorities in suburban Phoenix spotted another victim near a vehicle trapped in floodwaters. This vehicle had appeared empty on Friday evening, partially submerged in eight feet of rushing water. After crews searched the area, they located a body pinned beneath a roadside bridge.
In Grove, one of Arizona’s historic mining towns, officials are contemplating reporting individuals as potentially missing, as Melford noted they lack specific numbers at the moment.
“We are currently engaged in a major search and rescue operation,” he remarked.
Melford indicated the rain poured down on Friday, resulting in rapid flooding throughout the downtown area. One of the first affected sites was a propane tank distributor, which lost around 1,000 home-sized tanks to the flood.
“There are propane tanks scattered throughout downtown Grove,” he observed, emphasizing that hazardous materials teams have been dispatched to respond to the situation. “Thankfully, none of them have exploded.”
Previously, this area had suffered flooding following a wildfire in 2021, but Melford mentioned that the current event is quite different.
“This was just a brief bout of rain,” he added.
Authorities are asking residents to refrain from searching for flood victims, as search teams will use dogs that could mistake eager volunteers for victims. Melford advised that the best way to help is to support friends and neighbors in need.
City Council members in Grove declared a state of emergency, sharing that they had never witnessed such a flood before.
Mayor Al Gamero highlighted that many community buildings sustained damage and noted that numerous volunteers have come forward to assist. Authorities have requested people to stay away from the area until it is deemed safe.
“Our main focus is on search and rescue,” Gamero said on Saturday.
