Flood waters flowed through Flagstaff for a second day yesterday, leaving several roads impassable and some residential streets looking like rivers.
Coconino County Emergency Management officials issued a shelter-in-place order Wednesday afternoon and residents were warned to move to higher ground and not to enter flood waters under any circumstances. Neighborhoods in east Flagstaff were primarily impacted. The rushing waters were expected as a byproduct of the burn scar from the 2019 Museum Fire. Videos shared by residents shared on social media include footage of flowing water sending a Toyota Prius sailing down a street. Flooding could continue with rain predicted through early next week.
Meanwhile, Coconino County officials say the Museum Fire Burn Area received more than an inch of rain yesterday. It was a lower amount than Tuesday, but the rain fell over a longer period of time. Some neighborhoods like Upper and Lower Greenlaw and Swiss Manor received more than 2-and-half-inches of rain compounding the impacts.
Flood officials say the ground is becoming saturated and the watershed more responsive meaning additional flooding is expected. The National Weather Service predicts rain for the rest of the week and into the weekend. County crews are currently assessing damage to Flagstaff neighborhoods from yesterday’s flooding.
