CAMP VERDE — One week after catastrophic flooding tore through the Verde Valley, Camp Verde faces an uncertain and potentially expensive recovery, with town leaders saying the cost of the response exceeded their budget almost immediately, AZFamily reports.
Hundreds of homes were badly damaged or gutted by rushing water, and some were carried downriver, leaving many residents without a place to stay. The flooding began Sunday, Nov. 1, prompting widespread evacuations.
Sgt. Dustin Richardson of the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office said marshals went door to door that night to rescue trapped residents, at times “having to break windows out and kick doors in.” He said the river later rose more than 20 feet and overflowed again. “I’m surprised that we have not had any fatalities,” he said.
Richardson said officers have since gone neighborhood to neighborhood documenting damage, stretching an agency of just under 30 sworn deputies that typically has four or five on duty at a time.
“Our ability to respond to this incident, our budgetary ability to do it, was exceeded almost immediately because our budget is extremely tight,” Interim Town Manager Charlie Cassens said. He said the town is keeping close records in hopes of later reimbursement.
Yavapai County and Gov. Katie Hobbs have issued emergency proclamations to make disaster funding available, but it is unclear when that money will reach Camp Verde. A federal disaster declaration, which requires a request from the governor and approval from the president, could open the door to more federal help.
Insurance is another worry. Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flood damage, and flood insurance coverage for belongings is often separate from coverage for the building itself.
Neighbors in nearby Cornville are also helping one another rebuild after the record rain, FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
Sources: AZFamily, FOX 10 Phoenix. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Jennifer Horn / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
