At least four people have died after heavy rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding across parts of Arizona, including the historic mining town of Globe in Gila County, about 88 miles east of Phoenix.
According to officials, 2.5 inches of rain fell in Globe over 24 hours, with another storm moving in on Saturday, briefly halting search-and-rescue efforts for individuals potentially missing in the floodwaters.
The rural community of Globe, one of Arizona’s oldest mining towns, experienced rapid flooding on Friday. Streets turned into rivers as floodwaters forced residents to seek safety on rooftops. One of the first areas hit was a propane distributorship, scattering approximately 1,000 propane tanks throughout downtown. Fortunately, none of the tanks ignited or exploded, but hazmat teams were dispatched to secure the area.
Authorities confirmed that two bodies were discovered inside a vehicle in Globe, and another person was found in the floodwaters. In suburban Phoenix, a fourth victim was recovered Saturday morning near a vehicle caught in floodwaters late Friday night. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Wider Impact Across Arizona
Flooding also affected the nearby mining town of Miami, though no injuries were reported there. Meanwhile, about 20 tourists stranded on parts of the Havasupai Reservation, including at the world-famous Havasu Falls, were safely evacuated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The remote reservation, accessible only by foot, mule, or helicopter, is prone to flooding due to its location deep within a canyon off the Grand Canyon.
Carl Melford, the emergency manager for Gila County, stated that a “massive search and rescue” operation is underway but urged residents not to enter the floodwaters. Search dogs working with rescue teams could be thrown off by civilian volunteers’ scents, potentially hindering efforts to locate missing persons.
The Globe City Council has declared a state of emergency. Mayor Al Gameros said many buildings in the downtown area have been damaged and asked people to stay away until the area is deemed safe. Despite the devastation, scores of local volunteers have stepped up to help their neighbors.
Authorities noted that while Globe has experienced flooding before—particularly after a wildfire in 2021—this event was unprecedented. The town’s proximity to canyons funnels water from the mountains into the community extremely quickly.
