Flood — Gila, Arizona

2019-11-29 to 2019-11-30 · near Punkin Center, Gila, Arizona

Event narrative

A powerful Pacific low pressure system moving slowly east across Arizona interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread moderate to heavy rain across the higher terrain areas to the north and east of Phoenix during the morning hours on November 29th. Initially the heavy rain led to flash flooding and caused area washes and creeks to flow heavily. Water rose above action stage in Tonto Creek by mid morning, and continued to rise into the afternoon hours. According to local law enforcement, at about 1600MST a large vehicle drove around barriers and attempted to cross flooded Tonto Creek about 3 miles to the southeast of Punkin Center. The vehicle contained at least 2 adults and 7 children. The vehicle was swept away by rapidly flowing flood waters; the 2 adults were rescued along with 4 of the children. However, 3 of the children did not survive. 2 were rescued rather quickly but the third, a 6 year old girl, was not found until at least 2 weeks later after extensive search and rescue efforts. An Areal Flood Warning was in effect at the time the vehicle was swept away.

Wider weather episode

A powerful Pacific low pressure system moving slowly east across Arizona interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread moderate to heavy rain across south-central Arizona during the morning hours on November 29th. Aided by frontal lift, isolated thunderstorms developed which helped enhance rain totals. The heavy rain resulted in episodes of flash flooding over higher terrain areas northeast of Phoenix during the morning hours and also resulted in area washes and creeks running heavily. Tonto Creek began to flow heavily during the morning, and exceeded alarm stages with water continuing to rise. During late afternoon, a large vehicle went around barricades and attempted to cross flooded Tonto Creek. The vehicle was swept away resulting in multiple fatalities. Three children were killed; 2 were found relatively soon after they were swept away but the third was not found until at least 2 weeks later after extensive search and rescue efforts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.8120, -111.2775)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 860312. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.