Arizona flash flooding leaves at least 4 dead as 1,000 propane tanks get swept downstream
Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency for Gila County following the monsoon flooding.
Watch: Cars, debris swamped by flooding in Arizona
Video from Friday night showed several cars and debris floating around in floodwaters in Globe, Arizona. Debris rushed by in the flooding.
GLOBE, Ariz. – At least four people have been killed, and a dangerous hazmat situation unfolded in central Arizona when devastating flash flooding tore through communities like Globe, Miami and Scottsdale over the weekend.
Details on those who were killed have not yet been released, but Gila County officials said in a news release that several people remain unaccounted for after the flooding there, in addition to the deaths.
In Scottsdale, police said a man who was reported missing on Friday was found dead after floodwaters there began to recede.
According to a report from FOX 10 in Phoenix, the Scottsdale Fire Department responded to reports that a vehicle was "partially submerged in 8 to 9 feet of fast-moving water."
Crews shut down the road, and a search began for anyone who may have been inside the vehicle, but no one was found. The decision was made to monitor the vehicle overnight as the water levels were dropping.
According to the report, as officials worked to locate the vehicle’s owner, family members reported 38-year-old Ander Pallares Polanco missing on Friday evening.
The next morning, first responders searched the vehicle again, and a body, later identified as Polanco, was found pinned beneath a bridge, submerged in 5 to 6 feet of water.
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Gila County officials said nearly 1,000 propane tanks were also swept away by the raging floodwaters, creating a hazardous situation, and several roads were closed due to high water.
Hazardous materials teams swarmed the area to begin cleaning up and monitoring air quality, officials said.
"Historic Downtown Globe is currently unsafe, with compromised buildings as well as hazardous chemicals and debris, including propane tanks," Globe city officials posted on Facebook. "For your safety, please stay out of the area until further notice."
Officials said in addition to hazmat teams, over 100 additional search and rescue crews were in the area looking for any others who may have been swept away.
MONSOON MOISTURE TRIGGERS FLOODING IN PHOENIX AREA
Arizona town devastated by flash flooding
Flash flooding devastated Globe, Arizona, on Friday, leaving streets and buildings filled with mud and debris.
"As you are all aware of, tonight our community has experienced an unthinkable, devastating flood event," Globe Mayor Al Gameros posted on social media. "Our primary objective tonight is search and rescue due to numerous vehicles that have been swept into the wash."
Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency for Gila County following the monsoon flooding.
"I’m heartbroken by the devastation in Gila county. My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and the residents whose lives have been impacted," Hobbs said in a statement. "This declaration is a commitment to the people of Gila County that Arizona will deliver every resource available to help. We will continue to work around the clock to ensure communities throughout Gila County that have been impacted by devastating flooding have the support they need to protect life and property."
Arizona town devastated by flash flooding
Flash flooding devastated Globe, Arizona, on Friday, leaving streets and buildings filled with mud and debris.
Video shot by Jaleka Jawara during the flooding shows multiple propane tanks floating through the waters raging through town, along with several damaged vehicles and flooded buildings.
Globe was slammed by torrential rains from monsoon thunderstorms on Friday evening. A rain gauge at the Globe courthouse recorded 2.09 inches of rain in just 25 minutes.