'GO' evacuation orders, road closures across Valley due to flash flooding

Tucson residents planning to drive north for hiking, fall travel, or weekend trips faced major disruptions Sunday as flash flooding closed highways, prompted mandatory evacuations, and led to water rescues across northern and central Arizona. Interstate 17, a primary route between Tucson, the Phoenix area, Flagstaff, and northern destinations, was initially affected by flooding near Munds Park. All impacted lanes reopened by shortly before 3 p.m., but several other routes remained closed, and officials warned motorists to avoid flooded roads and washes.

The most urgent conditions were in Sedona, where city officials ordered residents in evacuation Zones 8, 9, and 10 to leave immediately as Oak Creek rose rapidly. The affected areas included properties along Trails End Road and Lane, Purtymun Lane, Art Barn Road and Lane, Arroyo Roble Drive, Amara Lane, Little Lane, L’Auberge Lane, Blackhawk Lane, Newcastle Lane, and Oak Creek Mobile Lodge. The evacuation area also included Copper Cliffs Drive and Lane, Sycamore Road, the Villas at Poco Diablo Resort, the Center for the New Age, Rancho Sedona RV Park, nearby homes on Bear Wallow Lane, and other properties next to Oak Creek.

Sedona officials warned that the water could rise suddenly and urged people to stay away from creek beds, drainage areas, and washes. They also cautioned that no one should drive or walk through running water on a road. Sedona Fire crews brought in additional personnel after handling what officials described as an unusually large number of rescue calls. Floodwater reached the doorsteps of some homes, and a vehicle near the Sedona trout farm was left partially submerged. Residents reported that areas that had been dry the previous evening were underwater by Sunday morning.

An evacuation shelter was established at Sedona Red Rock High School, while another shelter was available at the Camp Verde gym at 473 South Main Street. The Sedona Humanitarian Society offered assistance with pets, including food and supplies, for people forced to leave their homes. Camp Verde officials separately directed residents near the Verde River, West Clear Creek, and Wet Beaver Creek to evacuate. Those warnings are especially relevant to Tucson travelers who may use the Verde Valley as a stopping point while heading toward Sedona, Flagstaff, or other northern destinations.

The flooding spread well beyond Sedona. Coconino County activated its Emergency Operations Center and opened a public information line at 928 679 8525 for updates about evacuations, road conditions, and sandbags. Sandbags were available at Pinewood Fire Department and Highlands Fire Department, while residents could fill their own at Thorpe Park. People using the self fill site were told to bring shovels. County officials directed residents to coconino.az.gov/ready for additional emergency information while a regional Flood Watch remained in effect through Sunday evening.

The Arizona Department of Transportation reported that State Route 89A remained closed between Sedona and Kachina Village, State Route 73 was closed between Indian Pine and White River, and State Route 238 was closed between Maricopa and Gila Bend. State Route 260 near Pinetop Lakeside was also listed as closed. Transportation crews were clearing rockfall in northern Arizona with plow trucks. ADOT urged drivers to expect delays and emphasized that even a small amount of moving water can sweep away a vehicle, while submerged hazards may not be visible.

Other evacuation orders reached communities in the White Mountains and Gila County. Residents along the river in Cedar Creek were ordered to leave, with Canyon Day Junior High serving as an evacuation center. People along River Road were placed on a lower readiness status, meaning they were told to prepare to leave quickly if water levels continued rising. Officials advised residents to gather medication, clothing, charged phones, flashlights, and other necessities, identify escape routes, and check on older neighbors. In Tonto Basin, residents and visitors at Greenback Valley RV Park were ordered to evacuate, with Tonto Basin Elementary School serving as a shelter. Lone Pine Dam Road at Linden Wash was also closed because of flooding.

The storm affected schools and local operations as well. Sedona Red Rock Junior and Senior High School announced that West Sedona School and Sedona Red Rock Middle and High School would be closed Monday because of safety concerns. Officials said some families and teachers had flooded homes and that parts of the campuses were being evaluated. Coconino County Emergency Manager Tim Carter said the situation began with flooded roads before water started threatening homes and businesses, while local public safety agencies coordinated their response.

The emergency followed a state of emergency declared two days earlier by Gov. Katie Hobbs for Coconino and Navajo counties. The National Weather Service maintained a Flood Watch as additional rain was expected through Sunday evening. For Tucsonans, the immediate lesson was to check conditions before heading north, confirm whether routes such as Interstate 17 and State Route 89A are open, and avoid attempting to cross flooded pavement. Anyone caught in immediate danger was advised to move to higher ground and call 911.