GLOBE, Ariz. (AP) — Four individuals have lost their lives following intense rainfall that triggered flooding in Arizona, prompting some residents of a rural area to seek refuge on rooftops, according to officials on Saturday.
In Globe, a town with a population of around 7,250, located approximately 88 miles (142 kilometers) east of Phoenix, three fatalities were reported due to the deluge, stated Carl Melford, the emergency manager for Gila County. Two victims were discovered inside a vehicle, while the third was found in the floodwaters. Authorities have yet to release their identities.
Another fatality was reported on Saturday morning, near a vehicle trapped in floodwaters in the Phoenix suburbs the previous evening. The vehicle was found semi-submerged in approximately 8 feet of swiftly moving water on Friday evening in a park greenbelt, as reported by the Scottsdale Fire Department. After the water receded overnight, rescue teams discovered the body beneath a pedestrian bridge.
In the historic mining town of Globe, sheriffs are investigating reports of potentially missing individuals, said Melford, although the exact number remains unspecified.
“We now have a massive search and rescue underway,” he said.
Rain inundated the area and rapidly submerged the downtown vicinity on Friday, mentioned Melford. Among the first impacted spots was a propane tank distributor, dispersing around 1,000 residential-sized tanks throughout the area.
“Propane tanks are scattered all over downtown Globe,” he stated, noting that hazmat teams have been dispatched to the site. “Fortunately, none of them caught fire 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.
