SEDONA — Flash flooding along Oak Creek pushed water into about 19 homes and forced immediate evacuations in parts of Sedona over the weekend, according to Arizona’s Family and FOX 10 Phoenix.
Officials placed evacuation zones 8 through 10 in ‘GO’ status, meaning residents were told to leave right away as the creek rose fast.
The flooding also closed the popular Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village along the creek, and a planned Day of the Dead celebration was canceled, the outlets reported.
Shelters were opened at Sedona Red Rock High School and at the Camp Verde gym for people who had to leave their homes.
Nearby highways were also hit. State Route 179 in Sedona and State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon were closed due to flooding, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Officials urged people to stay away from the creek, which can rise quickly and carry debris, and to never drive through flooded roads.
Residents in the area can follow evacuation updates from local emergency managers and check road closures at az511.gov.
Sources: Arizona’s Family, FOX 10 Phoenix, Arizona Department of Transportation news releases. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
