Oak Creek

Sunday’s heavy rainfall caused Oak Creek to reach nearly 16 feet as flooding struck dozens of communities across central and northern Arizona. Evacuations remain in effect Monday and Flagstaff crews continue to search for man missing in flood waters.

Rising water levels in Oak Creek put businesses near its banks at risk Sunday. Rainfall transformed the typically mild riparian waterway into a frothing muddy current.

On Sunday, the Arizona Department of Transportation closed parts of Interstate 17, State Route 89A and other highways in northern and eastern Arizona because of heavy rain and flood danger.

City of Sedona officials have ordered residents and visitors in parts of the city near Oak Creek to evacuate because of increased flood danger from heavy rain overnight.

A grease clog at a Sedona restaurant like caused between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into Oak Creek Sunday. The city is testing water quality after the spill.

Campers in Oak Creek Canyon were able to leave the Cave Springs Campground Wednesday after multiple days of flooding that blocked creek crossings.

Flooding this week in Oak Creek Canyon has stranded dozens of people at Cave Springs Campground after the area received several inches of rain.

The wildfire burning north of Sedona forced forest managers to close the creek to the public in June, but officials say it will reopen to recreationists starting Sept. 17.

Monsoon rains have created new hazards for areas and communities that were threatened by the Pocket Fire.

The Pocket Fire burning north of Sedona reached 638 acres as of Tuesday afternoon and is still 0% contained.