Flash Flood in Yavapai County, Arizona

A family of four partially crossed the bed of the Agua Fria River in a truck (SUV) when flash flooding occurred. They became stuck in the flood waters. A swift water rescue was in possible and a helicopter could not be dispatched due to the weather conditions. The 6 year old boy was subsequently swept downstream and drown.

A very strong jet stream moving across the Pacific brought abundant moisture and significant precipitation to northern Arizona on January 21th. The snow level started out around 3400 feet with significant snow above 5000 feet. The jet stream buckled during the day on the 21st and brought much warmer air to the area. This raised the snow level to almost 8000 feet for several hours. A strong cold front then moved across the and brought the snow level crashing to near 4000 feet. The cold front also brought high winds to the area. This storm caused power outages, flooding, evacuations, mudslides, collapsed roofs, and wind damage.

The higher elevations received between 4 and 8 feet of snow from all three storms. Lower elevations along the south slopes of the Mogollon Rim and mountains of Gila and Yavapai County received up to 12 inches of rain from all three storms. Snowfall and rainfall records were shattered. The combination of heavy rain and melting snow caused flooding problems in the lower elevations. Deep snow and mud stranded many people and livestock across the Hopi and Navajo Nations.