Two Dead and Multiple Evacuations After Severe Arizona Flooding

Record-Breaking Rainfall and Fatal Flooding Hit Northern Arizona

A severe, record-shattering storm system swept across northern Arizona this past weekend, leaving a trail of destruction that has claimed at least two lives and forced widespread emergency operations. The deluge, which began in earnest on Sunday, November 1, dumped an unprecedented 3.36 inches of rain at the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. This total not only shattered the previous daily record of 1.58 inches set in 1996, but it also stands as the third-highest single-day rainfall total in Flagstaff’s documented history, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Bellemont.

The human cost of the weather event became clear early Monday morning. Flagstaff police confirmed that 63-year-old Williams Singavarapu of New York was found deceased near East Ellery Avenue and South W.C. Riles Street. Authorities believe his death is weather-related, though an official determination from the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office is pending. The discovery followed an exhaustive search after reports emerged on Sunday evening that a man had lost his footing and disappeared into fast-moving floodwaters. A second individual was also found deceased Monday morning in a stormwater drainage area near North Highway 89 and Lynch Avenue.

Infrastructure Strain and Community Disruption

The sheer volume of water overwhelmed local infrastructure, turning streets into impassable channels and forcing the closure of major transit arteries. In Flagstaff, the Milton and Butler intersection remained flooded well into Monday morning, impacting businesses near the Northern Arizona University campus. Mountain Line, the city’s transit provider, was forced to suspend all bus routes for several hours on Sunday afternoon after police determined that flooding had rendered the Downtown Connection Center inaccessible.

Emergency response crews across the region operated at maximum capacity throughout the event. In Flagstaff alone, the United Flagstaff Firefighters Local 1504 reported responding to six swift-water rescues on Sunday. The Coconino County Emergency Management Department activated its Emergency Operations Center, establishing sandbagging stations at Thorpe Park and urging residents to shelter in place. While administrative offices and non-essential facilities in Flagstaff were closed Monday to prioritize emergency services, city officials have confirmed that all polling locations are expected to operate as normal for Election Day.

The impact extended well beyond city limits. In the Verde Valley, the situation prompted urgent evacuations across Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Sedona. The scope of the flooding caught many by surprise; Sergeant Dustin Richardson of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office noted that flood levels were significantly higher than anticipated and continued to rise beyond levels seen in recent years.

The flood levels are higher than anticipated and they’re going to be continuing to rise and higher than we’ve expected and even have seen in recent years. — Sergeant Dustin Richardson, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office

Environmental and Economic Consequences

The environmental fallout from the storm is already a point of concern for local officials. In Sedona, the flooding triggered a sewage spill near Bear Wallow Lane on Sunday evening. According to a press statement from the City of Sedona, the Bear Wallow Pump Station was completely submerged by floodwaters from Oak Creek, causing the system to be overwhelmed by incoming flows. Additionally, the storm caused significant damage to residential areas, including homes on Bates Road off State Route 89A, where the Verde River breached its banks.

PHOENIX UNDER FLOOD WATCH — Severe Storms, Hail & Flash Flooding Possible Across Arizona TODAY!

The scale of the precipitation over the last two months has been historically significant. The 3.36 inches recorded on Sunday brought November’s total to that same amount in just one day. When combined with October’s 6.29 inches—the second-wettest October on record—the region has experienced a relentless saturation of the soil. The 32-day stretch from October 1 through November 1 saw 9.65 inches of precipitation, making it one of the wettest periods in Flagstaff history.

While the storm system has now passed, the recovery phase is only beginning. Many residents in impacted areas like Kachina Village and the Southside are now facing the daunting task of assessing property damage. As the National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-50s for the remainder of the week, the focus shifts to the long-term stability of water management systems and the structural integrity of local roads that were battered by the weekend’s deluge.