National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

2024 SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training

SKYWARN is a program that trains volunteers to help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of monsoon season weather to the National Weather Service. Read More >

NWS Flagstaff, AZ

Weather Forecast Office

Verde Valley Flooding February 2019

Weather.gov > NWS Flagstaff, AZ > Verde Valley Flooding February 2019

Header

NWS Flagstaff Logo

 

Media is free to use the NWS Flagstaff Event Summary information. Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any information accessed from the site unless otherwise noted.

NWS Flagstaff Logo

Summary
 

A wet Pacific storm system spread heavy precipitation across much of northern Arizona on February 14th and 15th, 2019. This system also brought very warm air into the region resulting in abnormally high snow levels for mid-February. The heavy rain combined with significant snow melt in the mountains led to widespread flooding across central Arizona, especially the Verde Valley. Water levels remained elevated on area creeks, rivers, and streams for several days following this event.

 
Timeline
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Flood Watch a couple days in advance across portions of central Arizona

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Flood Watch a couple days in advance across portions of central Arizona

Very heavy rainfall totals were observed with this storm system leading to the flooding issues

Very heavy rainfall totals were observed with this storm system leading to the flooding issues


Impacts
  • Significant debris was observed along the banks of the East Verde River especially near the Water Wheel Day Use Area.
Pictures and Hydrographs

 

Closure sign for the Cold Springs Swimming Hole after the tragic flash flood

Closure sign for the Cold Springs Swimming Hole after the tragic flash flood

Photo Taken By Jack Lloyd of the Cold Springs Swimming Hole on July 15, 2017 showing significant flash flooding occurring.

Photo Taken By Jack Lloyd of the Cold Springs Swimming Hole on July 15, 2017 showing significant flash flooding occurring.

East Verde River at Water Wheel Day Use Area. More substantial debris was noted along the banks than at First Crossing. High water mark on trees was probably more like 4-4.5 feet.

East Verde River at Water Wheel Day Use Area. More substantial debris was noted along the banks than at First Crossing. High water mark on trees was probably more like 4-4.5 feet.

Bank of East Verde River, approximately 200 yards upstream from parking lot at Water Wheel Day Use Area. Note substantial debris.

Bank of East Verde River, approximately 200 yards upstream from parking lot at Water Wheel Day Use Area. Note substantial debris.

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Oak Creek gauge in Cornville

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Oak Creek gauge in Cornville

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Wet Beaver Creek gauge in Rimrock

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Wet Beaver Creek gauge in Rimrock

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Agua Fria River gauge in Dewey-Humboldt

Hydrograph showing flood waters hitting the Agua Fria River gauge in Dewey-Humboldt

Hydrograph showing the elevated water levels on the Verde River in Childs

Hydrograph showing the elevated water levels on the Verde River in Childs

Points of Contact

For more information on impacts and general inquiries about this event, please reference the contacts below:

  • National Weather Service: Brian Klimowski, Meteorologist-in-Charge at (928) 556-9161 ext. 222 or brian.klimowski@noaa.gov
    Tony Merriman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at (928) 556-9161 ext. 223 or tony.merriman@noaa.gov

  • Gila County Emergency Management at (928) 701-1811
Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube  Follow us on YouTube
FGZ RSS Feed  FGZ RSS Feed