Four Dead as Torrential Rains Trigger Devastating Floods in Arizona

Four people have died after heavy rain unleashed destructive flooding across Arizona, with the historic mining town of Globe among the hardest hit.

Floodwaters swept through Globe on Friday, forcing residents onto rooftops and scattering about 1,000 propane tanks across the downtown area after a local distributorship was inundated. Emergency crews said it was fortunate none of the tanks ignited.

Roughly 2.5 inches of rain fell in Globe, a city of about 7,250 people located 88 miles east of Phoenix, within 24 hours. Another storm system moved in on Saturday, temporarily halting search efforts for possible missing residents as creeks surged with dangerous flows.

Authorities confirmed three deaths in Globe. Two victims were found inside a vehicle and another in floodwaters. A fourth person was discovered Saturday morning near a vehicle caught in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix. The car had been spotted partially submerged in eight feet of fast-moving water the night before. When waters receded, crews found the victim pinned beneath a walkway bridge.

Nearby, streets in the mining town of Miami also flooded, though no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, about 20 tourists stranded on the remote Havasupai Reservation, including at the world-famous Havasu Falls, were evacuated after flooding cut off access. The reservation, deep in a gorge off the Grand Canyon, is reachable only by foot, mule or helicopter and is prone to flash floods.

In Globe, emergency manager Carl Melford said search and rescue teams were still investigating reports of missing people. “We now have a massive search and rescue underway,” he said.