Monsoon floods forced evacuations in subdivisions near the Gila River in Maricopa County on Saturday, officials said. The flooding followed nearly four inches of rain in a short period, causing flash floods that led to at least two deaths and multiple rescues in the Gila Bend area.
At least two people died and dozens were rescued after nearly four inches of rain fell in a short period, triggering flash floods in the Gila Bend area of Maricopa County, officials said. Mayor Chris Riggs confirmed the deaths of a man and a woman in a Facebook video, and the Buckeye Fire District reported rescuing 30 people overnight into Saturday. Maricopa County sheriff’s Sgt. Monica Bretado said several rescues and ongoing evacuations were underway, with some individuals still unaccounted for following the flooding.
The Maricopa County Flood Control District recorded nearly four inches of rain in a brief period, while Gila Bend itself received about 1.5 inches in 24 hours.
The flooding primarily impacted rural subdivisions near the Gila River in Gila Bend, where intense monsoon storms produced extreme rainfall. A nearby site along a state highway measured 3.9 inches during the same timeframe, according to official rainfall data. The heavy rains caused flash flooding that swept through the area, damaging homes and roads and forcing evacuations.
In response to the crisis, Maricopa County Chairman Jack Sellers declared a local emergency at 9:33 a.m. on Saturday, August 14. Mayor Riggs had declared a local emergency earlier that day due to the extreme flooding. These declarations enable access to emergency funds for response activities through the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management. The county also requested that the State of Arizona declare an emergency to support ongoing operations. The Maricopa County Emergency Operations Center was activated to coordinate the response.
County officials said crews from the Maricopa County Department of Transportation were deployed to remove debris from roads and assist with recovery efforts. The Maricopa County Flood Control District continued to monitor stream gauges and rainfall, providing updates to the community. Fire departments prioritized search and rescue operations from the onset, according to officials. The Gila Bend High School gym at 777 N. Logan Ave. was established as a shelter for displaced residents.
The flooding also prompted the closure of a state highway near Gila Bend, further complicating emergency response and evacuation efforts. The Buckeye Fire District focused its rescue operations in the Gila Bend area, where rural communities experienced severe impacts. Maricopa County-wide resources were mobilized to address the crisis, with county crews assisting in recovery operations.
Officials urged the public to report their status and the whereabouts of others via designated hotlines to aid in accounting for those affected. Evacuations continued amid ongoing rescue operations, with authorities closely monitoring stream gauges and rainfall to anticipate further flooding risks. Emergency funds were allocated specifically to support these response activities, and media inquiries were directed to public information officers for updates.
In a related event, the Gila River reached a record-breaking level of 30.28 feet in Duncan, Arizona, prompting a mass evacuation east of Ranch House beginning around 4:30 a.m. The Duncan Valley Rural Fire District assisted with the evacuations, which included areas such as East Avenue and 4th Street below the highway, extending up to Gale Avenue. The Greenlee Fairgrounds served as an evacuation center, providing open corrals for livestock. Records show the Gila River was at 22.27 feet near the Duncan bridge, classified as a major flood stage.
The flooding in Maricopa County and surrounding areas follows a pattern of severe monsoon storms that have produced extreme rainfall and flash flooding across the region. Authorities continue to monitor conditions and coordinate response efforts to mitigate impacts on affected communities.
Comments are closed.