Sandbags hold water back from this house on Stardust, south of Moonbeam (Courtesy: Deborah Lee Soltesz) (Click photo to enlarge)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– Less than 48 hours after flash floods affected the neighborhoods around the Schultz Fire burn area, another storm produced heavy rain and flooding northeast of Flagstaff.
Several flood warnings were issued by the National Weather Service this afternoon, with an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory lasting into the evening hours. The flood advisory expired at 8:15 pm.
The National Weather Service preliminarily issued a Flash Flood Warning at 11:30 am Thursday, which expired at 1:15 pm. NWS radar indicated heavy rain from a thunderstorm in the area. The warning was issued after reports of between one-half and one inch of rain falling between 10:30 and 11:30 am, with more on the way. At the time, rain was falling mostly upstream from Timberline Estates and Hutchinson Acres.
Standing water along Stardust, south of Moonbeam at around 4:30 pm, July 22, 2010 (Courtesy: Deborah Lee Soltesz)
The already-saturated ground from Tuesday’s flooding and lack of vegetation in the burn area allowed for excessive runoff from area thunderstorms. Flood waters made their way across US 89 to Doney Park, especially near Moon Beam Drive and Lunar Street. Coconino County officials urged people to stay clear of the area while crews cleaned up after the flooding subsided.
U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona (Flagstaff/Dist. 1), issued a statement regarding the flooding. She says that she will work hard with FEMA and local authorities over the coming weeks. “I will be working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the coming days to determine if there is anything to be done to better protect our families. I will also be cooperating closely with city and county officials as they seek a disaster declaration and to ensure they get the support they need,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick.
Aftermath of the first flash flood on July 20th, at Campbell Ave. and Crisp Hill Road. Heavy rain Thursday caused additional flooding in the Timberline Estates and Doney Park areas. (Courtesy: Stephanie McCarthy)
A public meeting will be held at Sinagua Middle School Friday at 6:30 pm regarding the flooding. At the meeting, representatives from Coconino County, Summit Fire Department, the State Department of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will provide presentations on their respective areas to update and inform residents, according to a release from Coconino County. Residents will be able to ask questions from the different representatives after the formal presentations.
Coconino County officials are asking residents who have suffered flood damage inside of their homes to call the Schultz Fire/Flood hotline at 877-679-8390. County damage assessment teams will use that information to help determine if the area qualifies for state and/or federal assistance.
Flagstaff Fire Department heavy rescue truck at Stardust and Moonbeam, July 22, 2010 (Courtesy: Deborah Lee Soltesz)
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