COCONINO, AZ; Navajo, AZ — * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues.
* WHERE...The Little Colorado River from Holbrook to Leupp.
* WHEN...Until 300 AM MST /400 AM MDT/ Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Flooding of the Little Colorado River is imminent or occurring. Further rises in the water levels are expected. Deadly flooding over low-water crossings.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 515 AM MST /615 AM MDT/, a river gauge reported falling water levels at Woodruff, however elevated flow reminded from Holbrook to Winslow. Elevated flow is forecast to continue through this afternoon, with downstream impacts at Birdsprings likely later this evening. - For the Little Colorado River at Holbrook: At 4:30am MST /5:30am MDT/ the stage was 14.34 feet. Flood Stage is 15.5 feet. Forecast: A crest of 16.41 feet is expected at 1:00pm MST /2:00pm MDT/ Friday. Impacts: At 15.5 feet: Railroad bridge affected. Overflow on South Bank.
For the Little Colorado River at Joseph City: At 4:30am MST /5:30am MDT/ the stage was 5.57 feet. Flood Stage is 9.0 feet. Forecast: A crest of 6.5 feet is expected at 2:00pm MST /3:00pm MDT/ Friday. Impacts: At 7.5 feet: Potential downstream lowland overflow. At 9.0 feet: Flood stage. Minor overflow on right (north) bank, with no threat to any buildings, mainly rural countryside.
For Little Colorado River at Winslow: At 5:00am MST /6:00am MDT/ the stage was 17.26 feet. Flood Stage is 19.0 feet. Forecast: Water levels remain above action stage through 10:00am MST /11:00am MDT/ Saturday. Impacts: At 17.0 feet: Downstream, the approaches to the bridge over the river on Navajo Route 71 near Bird Springs will flood, and Leupp will be within 3 feet of flooding problems. The river will crest at Navajo Route 71 approximately 18 hours after the river crests at Winslow. Minor lowland overflow on right bank at Winslow. At 18.0 feet: Flow above this level for approximately 6 hours or more may cause erosion to the levee and eventual leakage or failure.
- Additional information is available at weather.gov/flagstaff.
Flooding in Coconino, AZ; Navajo, AZ can cut off roads with little warning, damage homes near low-lying areas, and disrupt power and water service. Even a few inches of moving water can carry away a vehicle.
This report is based on information from NWS, monitored by Alert USA's verified emergency feed.
Alert USA anticipates a high chance of travel disruptions, elevated property risk in low-lying areas, and possible power outages while the event is active.
Recommended steps: avoid flooded roads — turn around, don't drown; move to higher ground if you are in a low-lying area; charge phones and prepare for power loss; check on family and neighbors.
Alert USA is tracking this flood event and will update this report as verified information becomes available.
Verified by Alert USA • NWS