Officials with Coconino County requested assistance from the Arizona National Guard on Friday following flooding from recent monsoon storms.
The request, which was officially made by the emergency manager to the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, is in response to flash flooding that came down recent wildfire burn scars outside Flagstaff.
BREAKING: I am told @CoconinoCounty just officially requested assistance from the state after flash flooding down the burn scars outside flagstaff.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) July 15, 2022
The request has been made to DEMA for the assistance of the @AZNationalGuard @abc15
This is what people are dealing with: pic.twitter.com/dxdIFt6DNp
A spokesperson for Governor Ducey confirmed they have received the request for assistance.
The county put in a formal request for 60 national guards members and the governor’s office is working to see how quickly they can honor it.
“We will get them the help they need,” a spokesperson said.
It is undetermined though if that will be the National Guard or other resources.
Friday afternoon, the city of Flagstaff announced places in the Museum Fire burn scar are expecting to see flash flooding. Mt. Elden Estates, Paradise, Grandview and Sunnyside residents are to shelter in place.
⚠SHELTER IN PLACE NOW⚠
— City of Flagstaff (@CityofFlagstaff) July 16, 2022
Flash flooding expected in Museum Fire Flood Area - Mt. Elden Estates, Paradise, Grandview, Sunnyside. Shelter in place now. If you are outdoors seek high ground now. Don't enter drainages. pic.twitter.com/Yy3JwG3RM3
ABC15 spoke with residents in the Doney Park area, some of whom had their garages flooded.
Feet of mud covered several acres of Geoff Lloyd’s property that sits under the Pipeline burn scars along 89A.
Friends, and family came over to try and help clear the feet of mud, and debris left behind from Thursday’s flooding, “we need help over here,” he said, “this is not something you can tackle on your own.”
Lloyd, frustrated with the response from county and elected officials, as he has tried since yesterday to get in contact with them for assistance, “I haven’t got a response back from the county yet.”
Other homes off Switch Back Trail were given jersey barriers, something Lloyd wants to know why he wasn’t, “I need some jersey barriers over here at this property right now, is what I need, I need our elected officials to be working on stuff like this,” he said.
Officials with Coconino County said they are aware of 10 homes that had flooding into the garage but weren’t aware of other flood reports.
The next step in the process of the request is for the state to review and possibly activate crews to the scene.
Coconino County has posted online maps with detailed recommendations for each home at risk, including sandbag wall dimensions, placement, and estimated number of bags to use. They say in total they will need around one million sandbags across the eastern part of the county.
The Coconino County Flood Control District has put out an urgent request for volunteers to help with sandbags.
Requirements for all volunteers are:
- Must be at least 14 years of age
- Must be able to lift 35 pounds / 16 kilograms
- Must be wearing closed-toe shoes – no sandals
- Please bring heavy-duty work gloves, hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle
- Long-sleeve t-shirts are also recommended for sun protection outdoors
With very little monsoon activity in the forecast for the Schultz-Pipeline Flood Area for this weekend, this is an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors by producing sandbags as well as assisting with placing sandbags at the homes of elderly and the disabled. Anyone with some time to donate in encouraged to sign up and help out.
