(January 21, 2010 – 7:10 p.m.)  Heavy rainfall across Arizona this week has caused the following road closures due to significant runoff and flood conditions in many creeks and rivers of Gila County.

In Globe: Six Shooter Canyon Road; the bridge just past Pueblo Heights Trailer Park; Silver Hills; Orient Street: Hoopes Drive & Adobe Road.

In Roosevelt, Campaign Wash is closed.

In Payson all crossings along Houston Mesa Road are closed.

In Star Valley: the corner of Moonlight & Rainbow;

In Pine: Pine Creek @ South Road and Pine Creek @ Bradshaw;

In Middle Round Valley: Gibson Ranch Road

Hwy 260 east of Star Valley and Hwy 87 north of Pine are open to 4 wheel drive or chains only.

An evacuation order is in effect for low lying areas along Tonto Creek in Tonto Basin.  A Red Cross shelter is now open for evacuees at the Tonto Basin School at 445 S. Old Highway 188, Punkin Center.

All crossings along Tonto Creek in Tonto Basin are barricaded closed.  Do not attempt to cross barricaded or flooded roads.  Flood waters running over normally dry creek beds are extremely treacherous.  Just 1 foot of water can sweep vehicles off the road.

Continuing rain will likely increased flooding due to ground saturation.  Residents in communities along rivers, creeks and washes should closely monitor weather radio.

The Gila County Emergency Management HOTLINE will post information as events occur. Call:  1-928-402-8888 or 1-800-304-4452 extension 8888.

The park, located 10 miles north of Payson, was closed due to budget cuts until Payson on May 22 funded part-time positions necessary to keep it open at least on weekends throughout the summer and now until Nov. 15.

Beginning on Nov. 19, the park will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The park’s historic lodge has been under structural repair since Feb. 26 and will remain closed due to additional internal construction projects.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.