Evacuations underway as parts of Arizona experience flooding due to rising rivers, creeks

Black Canyon City residents have been told to evacuate and are now in GO mode.

Residents in Yavapai County and other parts of Arizona are being told to evacuate or be prepared to evacuate as today's weather creates rising water levels around the state's rivers and basins.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office issued immediate evacuation orders for multiple streets in the Sedona area early Wednesday morning.

LIVE UPDATES: Evacuations and weather alerts amid flooding, ongoing storms in Arizona

Early Wednesday morning, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office ordered residents in Cottonwood that are along the Verde River south of State Route 89A to evacuate. They say flooding is ongoing along low-lying areas of the river.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for residents in the Rimrock and Lake Montezuma areas along Wet Beaver Creek Tuesday as there is major flooding in the area. Residents should evacuate now or move to higher ground, according to YCSO.

As of 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, YCSO officials say there is a chance the Montezuma Ave Bridge over Wet Beaver Creek at Sycamore Park may have to close between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. YCSO says they are trying to keep the bridge open if possible.

An evacuation center is located at 395 S Main St in Camp Verde. If you have an emergency, call 911. For questions regarding the flooding or evacuations, call 928-442-5103.

Camp Verde residents have been placed in GO status and are asked to evacuate the area near the area of Horseshoe Bend, N Verde River Dr, Yaqui Circle and Quarter Horse/Grippen Lane as waters continue to rise.

Prescott residents on Granite Creek and in Granite Gardens have been placed in SET status and should be prepared to evacuate. Officials say there are increased flows on Granite Creek due to necessary water discharge from Watson Lake.

Mayer residents along Big Bug Creek, off E Stagecoach Trail, and in the Chimney Ranch RV Park have also been placed in SET status due to rising water levels and should be prepared to evacuate.

SR-89A in Oak Creek is closed between Flagstaff and Sedona as crews work to clear a rock slide. A time for reopening has not been given.

On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning for the New River.

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On Tuesday afternoon, a flood advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for residents in the Oak Creek area, just south of Sedona. The City of Sedona has alerted its residents to be SET to leave before water levels rise and to be cautious and leave early.

Examples of streets/areas near Oak Creek include:

• Newcastle Lane
• Blackhawk Lane
• Trails End
• Copper Cliffs
• Sycamore Road
• The villas at Poco Diablo
• Center for the New Age
• Oak Creek Mobilodge
• Rancho Sedona RV Park
• And everything north of the RV park on Bear Wallow Lane

Driveways and low water crossings could become impassable during these events and drivers should NOT attempt to cross them if water is present. Remember to turn around, don't drown.

The Coconino National Forest has closed several areas due to flooding.

The Tonto National Forest has closed several recreational areas at the Salt River until further notice. These sites include Granite Reef, Phon D Sutton and Coon Bluff. Due to water levels and water pressure, please stay out of these areas.

Rising water levels and water pressure has closed several recreation areas at the Salt River to be closed until further notice by the Tonto National Forest. These sites include:

• Granite Reef
• Phon D Sutton
• Coon Bluff

Salt River Project said storms have compelled the utility to increase the number of water releases from its two reservoirs on the Verde River. The reservoirs are already more than 80% full, officials said in a news release.

SRP says it will begin Tuesday releasing 16,000 cubic feet of water per second, which translates into 120,000 gallons (455,000 liters) of water per second. The number of cubic feet per second could go up more later in the week.

Recent surveys found that snowpack on the 13,000-square-mile watershed that feeds into those Verde reservoirs is the deepest it's been in 30 years. SRP, which serves mainly central Arizona, operates by strategically releasing water from dams on the Salt and Verde rivers into a network of canals.

READY, SET, GO orders are given in the event of flooding:
READY status indicates that you should be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community and take proactive steps to prepare for seasonal threats. The city encourages all residents to always be in ready status.
SET status indicates that you need to be alert because there is significant danger and residents should consider voluntarily relocating outside the affected area.
GO status indicates danger in your area is imminent and life-threatening, and you should evacuate.