GLOBE, Ariz. (AP) Tragic weather conditions in Arizona have resulted in the death of four individuals after intense rainfall led to flooding, prompting residents in a rural area to seek refuge on rooftops for safety, officials reported on Saturday.
The city of Globe, with a population of approximately 7,250, located roughly 88 miles (142 kilometers) to the east of Phoenix, was heavily impacted by the rain, stated Carl Melford, Gila County’s emergency manager. The flooding claimed the lives of three people there; two were discovered in a vehicle and another was found in the floodwaters. Authorities have yet to release their identities.
In another tragic incident, a person was discovered deceased on Saturday morning near a vehicle that had been stranded in floodwaters near suburban Phoenix the previous night. The vehicle was initially found partially submerged in about 8 feet of swift water on Friday night within a greenbelt park area, according to the Scottsdale Fire Department. After the water level decreased overnight, rescue teams located a body trapped underneath a walkway bridge, as reported by the department.
In Globe, among Arizona’s historical mining communities, sheriff’s officials are investigating potential reports of missing individuals, Melford indicated, though he did not provide an exact count.
“We now have a massive search and rescue underway,” he said.
As rain battered the region on Friday, downtown Globe was swiftly overtaken by floods, Melford elaborated. A propane tank distributor was among the first places affected, dispersing around 1,000 household-sized tanks around the community.
“Propane tanks are scattered throughout downtown Globe,” Melford stated, mentioning that hazmat teams have been dispatched to handle the situation. “Fortunately, none of the tanks have ignited or exploded.”
The area previously experienced flooding in 2021 after a wildfire, but it didn’t happen like this, Melford said.
“This was an extremely heavy amount of rain in an extremely short period of time,” he said.
Authorities are asking residents to not go out searching in the floodwaters because search and rescue officials are accompanied by dogs who might pick up the scent of aspiring volunteers instead of possible flood victims. If people want to help, they should start by assisting friends and neighbors in need, Melford said.
Globe city council members declared an emergency, saying they have never seen anything like the flooding.
Scores of people have stepped up to volunteer, said Mayor Al Gamero, adding that many buildings in the community’s downtown have been damaged. Officials asked people to stay away from the area until they could ensure it is safe to go in there.
“Our primary, again, is search and rescue,” Gamero said Saturday.
