Flash Flood — Gila, Arizona

2019-07-22 · near Radium, Gila, Arizona

Event narrative

Thunderstorms with very heavy rain developed across portions of southern Gila County during the evening hours on July 22nd; some of the stronger storms produced peak rain rates in excess of one inch per hour that were sufficient to cause episodes of flash flooding. Some of the flash flooding affected the area near the town of Globe, and to the northeast along and to the west of Highway 77. At 1834MST the public reported that water was flowing across Glendale Avenue in Central Heights, about 2 miles east of Claypool. Later that evening at 1950MST, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office two adults were driving a pickup truck to the north of Globe and were swept away by floodwaters as they tried to cross Irene Gulch. One of the adults was injured but ultimately rescued while the other, a 52 year old woman, perished. They were swept away about 3 miles to the northeast of the town of Claypool. A Flash Flood Warning had been issued for the area well in advance but was either not received or was not heeded.

Wider weather episode

Scattered monsoon thunderstorms, some with intense rainfall, developed across portions of southern Gila County during the evening hours on July 22nd. Some of the stronger storms produced peak rainfall rates well in excess of one inch per hour; the heavy rain caused flash flooding around and to the northeast of the town of Globe, along and to the west of highway 77. Due to the very heavy rain, a Flash Flood Warning was issued at 1828MST. Shortly after the warning was issued, the public reported water flowing over Glendale Avenue in Central Heights. Unfortunately, despite the warning being issued well in advance, at 1750MST two adults in a pickup truck crossing Irene Gulch were swept away by floodwaters. One was rescued but the other perished. The fatality occurred about 3 miles to the northeast of the town of Claypool.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.4801, -110.7803)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 837688. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.