Flash Flood — Gila, Arizona

2020-02-22 · near Roosevelt Grpvn Arpt, Gila, Arizona

Event narrative

Two people were canyoneering in Bull Canyon (also known as Water Slide Canyon) near Cherry Creek when one was swept away by rushing waters. An inch and a half to two inches of rain had fallen in the drainage in the previous 11 hours.

Wider weather episode

A mid-level closed low centered off the coast of Southern California brought abundant moisture into Arizona from the southwest. Areas of heavy rain fell south of Interstate 40 and east of Flagstaff. Light to moderate rain fell elsewhere with snow levels generally above 8000 feet. A cold front then dropped snow levels to below 6000 feet.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.7600, -110.8400)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 870187. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.