‘Mass evacuation’ in Arizona town after monsoonal rains cause river to overflow
Heavy monsoonal rains caused a river to overflow in Duncan, Arizona. The Gila River gauge, located about 5 miles southeast of Duncan, broke the site's all-time water level record at 30.28 feet.
Monsoon rains flood eastern Arizona, evacuations take place
Evacuations are underway in a Duncan, Arizona after heavy rain overflowed the Gila River. (Video Credit: KSAZ)
DUNCAN, Ariz. – Evacuations are underway in a town in eastern Arizona after heavy rain flooded a river.
"At approximately 4:30 this morning, the water levels of the Gila River reached a point where water began to spill into portions of Duncan," the Duncan Valley Rural Fire District said. "At that time, the Fire District was requested to assist in an evacuation of the areas in the flood plane, east of the Ranch House."
The National Weather Service says that the Gila River gauge, located about 5 miles southeast of Duncan, broke the site's all-time water level record at 30.28 feet.
Duncan officials say that as of Monday morning, water levels at the bridge reached 22.27 feet, classifying it as a major flood stage.
The Greenlee Fairgrounds, located north of the city, is being used as an evacuation center. The city says corrals are open to anyone who needs to move livestock.
Arizona river overflows, causing mass evacuation of small town
Heavy monsoonal rains caused a river to overflow in Duncan, Arizona. The Gila River gauge, located about 5 miles southeast of Duncan, broke the site's all-time water level record at 30.28 feet.
Evacuations underway
Duncan officials say that areas lower than High Street and the Chaparral Store need to evacuate at this time.
Locations include:
- East Ave.
- 4th below the highway
- 3rd below the highway
- Ash St.
- Acacia St.
- Pecan St.
- Main St.
- Madison St.
- Hobbs St.
- Harwell St.
- Philpott Ave.
- Stadium St.
- Wilson St.
- Tyler Ln.
- West end by the car wash
- Cottonwood St.
- Church St.
- Gale Ave.
Weekend flooding in Arizona
Arizona kids rescued from bus trapped by floodwaters
The Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona rescued 39 schoolchildren and two bus drivers after floodwaters quickly overcame the busses.
Monsoon-fueled storms from Friday through Sunday across Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico dumped as much as 8 inches of rain in areas. The FOX Weather Forecast Center reports that this is a once in every 2 to 10-year event.
Arizona leads the pack for damage with 467 flood reports so far this year. The deluges lead to catastrophic flash flooding across the Grand Canyon State.
Cochise County, just south of Duncan, was forced to close several roads over the weekend.