First Alert Weather: Monsoon brings more flash flooding near Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — The monsoon is once again bringing heavy rainfall to areas north of the Valley including Flagstaff. Storms began forming late Wednesday morning and as of 1 p.m., were impacting parts of Coconino, Yavapai and Mohave counties.

Shortly before noon, the National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a flash flood warning until 3 p.m. for portions of Coconino County including Timberline, Wupatki Trails and Pine Mountain Estates. Soon after, a remote camera picked up flash flooding in the Schultz/Pipeline Fire burn scar.

Several officials toured the burn scar areas during Wednesday’s flooding. Congressman Tom O’Halleran, Flagstaff Mayor Tom Deasy, United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Transportation and county officials were among the ones to see the burn scars and impacts of the severe flooding up close.

“It is a disaster. It is horrendous out there; it is devastating for peoples lives. And where we were today, peple got to witness the magnitude,” said Lucinda Andreani, Flood Control District Administrator.

Another flash flood warning is in effect for parts of Yavapai and Coconino counties, including the V Bar V Heritage Site, Bell Crossing, The Crack, Wet Beaver Creek and Wilderness, Bar T Bar Ranch and Apache Maid Mountain. That warning is currently set to expire at 4:15 p.m. Coconino County officials say flooding is also expected in Fernwood and Doney Park neighborhoods and are urging area residents to shelter in place if indoors. If outdoors, get to higher ground and avoid drainage areas.

Doney Park residents were hit once again by the floodwaters. Mary Snyder is among the many cleaning up the mess left behind. Her foundation was cracked and her fence completely submerged in mud. “My road is gone and my property is just destroyed,” she said. “I love weather, and I absolutely cringe when I start to hear thunder and lightning.”

Snyder added that the neighborhood needs help from the effects of the flooding. “It’s like we’ve had little to no response. It’s not snow; they’re plowing mud and debris,” she explained. “We’re the ones that have observed the most damage from what I can see since it started. We need help out there. They need to reroute this mud flow and do something to keep it from damaging our homes in Doney Park.”

Around 1:15, ADOT announced that U.S. 89 is closed in both directions at milepost 425 north of Flagstaff due to flooding. That’s in the area of East Campbell Avenue. Both lanes reopened after 2 p.m.

Monsoon activity is expected to increase throughout the day and the rest of the week, in areas including the Valley. Stay up to date with the latest weather information with our First Alert Weather app.

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