Arizona Flooding: Oak Creek Overflows in Sedona, Forcing Evacuations and Rooftop Rescues

Heavy rain sent Oak Creek over its banks in Sedona on Sunday, Nov. 1, flooding homes, forcing “GO” evacuation orders and prompting rooftop rescues by state air crews. Flooding also closed highways and triggered evacuations in other parts of central and northern Arizona, including Camp Verde, Gila County and the White Mountains.

Sedona flooding evacuations

City officials put parts of Evacuation Zones 8, 9 and 10 on Sedona’s east side in “GO” status on Sunday morning. “GO” means danger is imminent and life-threatening and residents must leave, FOX 10 Phoenix reported.

The order covers streets and properties along Oak Creek, including Trails End Road and Lane, Purtymun Lane, Lomacasi Lane, Art Barn Road and Lane, Arroyo Roble Drive, Copper Cliffs Drive and Lane, Sycamore Road, Oak Creek Mobilodge, the Villas at Poco Diablo Resort, Rancho Sedona RV Park and any other property next to the creek.

Where evacuees can go: ABC15 reported an evacuation center at Sedona Red Rock High School (995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road). FOX 10 listed a shelter at the Camp Verde Community Gym (473 S. Main St.). The Sedona Humanitarian Society is helping evacuees with pets at 928-282-4679, according to FOX 10.

Homes flooded, rooftop rescues

At least 19 homes along Oak Creek were evacuated, and some had 3 to 4 inches of water inside, Yavapai County spokesperson David S. McAtee told AZFamily. The Sedona Fire District called in extra crews for what it described as an “excessive amount” of water rescues.

Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office told KNAU that Department of Public Safety air crews had carried out six rooftop evacuations in Sedona by Sunday afternoon, and that the mission was ongoing. The state activated its Emergency Operations Center at a remote level 2.

Longtime residents said they had rarely seen anything like it. “I’ve seen the river get pretty high and roar and stuff, but not really come up over the banks to the point that it’s hitting the houses,” Sedona resident Susan Balensky told FOX 10. Coconino County Emergency Manager Tim Carter called the situation “unprecedented.”

The reports reviewed for this story did not mention deaths or serious injuries, and the full extent of property damage isn’t yet known.

Other Arizona flash flooding

• Camp Verde: The Marshal’s Office told residents near the Verde River, West Clear Creek and Wet Beaver Creek to evacuate immediately (ABC15).
• Gila County: People at Greenback Valley RV Park in Tonto Basin were told to leave, and a shelter opened at Tonto Basin Elementary School (ABC15).
• Cedar Creek: Residents along the river were under a “GO” order, and Canyon Day Junior High was set up as an evacuation center (ABC15).
• Coconino County activated its Emergency Operations Center and a call center at 928-679-8525 for information on evacuations, sandbags and road closures.

Road and school closures

As of Sunday afternoon, ADOT listed SR 89A between Sedona and Kachina Village, SR 73 between Indian Pine and White River and SR 238 between Maricopa and Gila Bend as closed, and FOX 10 also listed SR 260 near Pinetop-Lakeside. Interstate 17 reopened in both directions. Several Flagstaff streets, including parts of Milton Road and Route 66, were also closed, ABC15 reported.

West Sedona School and Sedona Red Rock Middle/High School are closed Monday, Nov. 2, FOX 10 reported. Tlaquepaque closed Sunday and canceled its Day of the Dead celebration, according to AZFamily.

Flood warning safety

The National Weather Service had a Flood Watch for central and northern Arizona through Sunday evening. Officials repeated the basics: stay out of washes and creek beds, never drive through flooded roads (“Turn around, don’t drown”), and if you’re in immediate danger, get to higher ground and call 911.

Is there a state emergency? ABC15 reported that Gov. Hobbs had declared a state of emergency for Coconino and Navajo counties two days before Sunday’s flooding. KNAU reported that as of Sunday afternoon, the governor’s office had not received a new emergency declaration request from local officials.