Past Flood Events
Yavapai County Past Flood Events
Below are some of the significant flood events from 2015 to current day. To see all flooding events since 1950 visit NOAA’s database https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents and search by county.
September 2024 - The river gauge on Granite Creek in Prescott measured over a 6.5 foot rise in one hour between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The creek slowly dropped to near normal levels by 5:00 AM early the next morning.
August 2024 - Monsoon moisture produced localized flash flooding. Flooding of several roads in the Cornville area. There was also flooding along Harmony, Oak Run Lane, and Page Springs Road. Flooding of multiple homes along Alvey and Brooks Lanes. The fire department personnel reported at least 6 homes flooded in Cornville.
July 2024 - The USGS stream gauge along the Agua Fria River near Humboldt reported a 7.86 foot rise starting at around 7:00 PM, peaking at around 9:00 PM. There was a Swift water rescue at 8:35 PM off of Bradshaw Mountain Road in the Quailwood Subdivision (Agua Fria River) where there was a vehicle in the water with two occupants.
May 2023 - Heavy rain caused flooding along Highway 69 in Prescott Valley in Diamond Valley. Alberson Wash (Rose Creek) flooded and Hornet Drive.
August 2022 - A flash flood was reported on Big Chino Wash where the river gauge on the wash showed a 4.64 foot rise. Also, the river gauge on Granite Creek in Prescott measured about a 3 foot rise in about 90 minutes.
August 2022 - Heavy rain from thunderstorms caused major flash flooding of roads and homes in Spring Valley on Hackberry Creek. Flash flooding in Mayer threatened the town water supply infrastructure.
August 2022 - The river gauge at Granite Creek showed nearly a 4-foot rise in one hour it rose from 7.19 feet at 2:30 PM to 10.96 feet at 3:20 PM.
August 2021 - A stream gauge on Granite Creek (northeast of downtown Prescott) reported a 6.7-foot rise with a peak flow of 3,558 CFS. At least five roads were closed in Prescott due to flooding. Roads were also closed in Wilhoit due to flooding. Two cars were stuck in flowing washes near Chino Valley/Paulden and water was beginning to move the vehicles, so Law Enforcement was called to the scene.
August 2021 - The Verde River near Clarkdale rose over 17 feet in 58 minutes. The water crested at 19.49 feet at 9:42 PM MST. The Verde River near Camp Verde rose just over 10 feet in 4 hours.
November 2021 - The Community of Yarnell was inundated with two significant rain events of about 2 inches/hour within a 10-day span. Several residences and businesses were flooded east of Highway 89, despite mitigation efforts by the County, the sediment runoff was significant due to the Tenderfoot Fire, which occurred the prior month.
July 2021 - 4 feet of water was flowing through Paquito Wash. Flooding was also reported nearby in Prescott Valley.
September 2019 - Black Canyon Wash was flowing over Maren Ave about 1.5 feet deep. The river eventually rose to 16 feet on the river gauge (a 13.5-foot rise).
December 2019 - The stream gauge on Beaver Creek near Montezuma Castle National Monument reported a rise of 2.37 feet in one hour between 3:45 PM and 4:45 PM on December 4. The stream continued to rise over 9 feet. A successful swift water rescue was conducted along Reay Road in the community of Montezuma Castle.
February 2019 - The stream gauge on Wet Beaver Creek near Rimrock reported a 7-foot rise between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The river gauge on Wet Beaver Creek at Montezuma Castle showed a 15-foot rise in two hours (9:45 PM to 11:45 PM). Officials estimate about 25 homes were damaged because of the flooding, and some were declared unsafe. Multiple rescues performed in the Montezuma and Rimrock areas. Black Canyon Creek at Maren Avenue River gauge showed a 2-foot rise in four hours. West Clear Creek near Camp Verde showed a 5.7-foot rise in 45 minutes.
July 2018 - Lynx Creek immediately upstream from Fain Lake (in Fain Park) was experiencing flash flooding conditions that were causing the creek water to flow out of the banks. The flooding continued upstream to Costco. Flooding in the Diamond Valley area. Diamond Drive was washed out with significant flooding over roads in the neighborhood.
July 2017 - Thunderstorms produced heavy rain over the Goodwin Fire scar, this led to flash flooding in Big Bug Creek and Grapevine Creek which both flow into the Agua Fria River which led to a double crest in the flash flood downstream. People were evacuated in Mayer. The stream gauge on Agua Fria River near Mayer showed a 5.84-foot rise in 45 minutes. 15 Homes were destroyed. 25 homes experienced major damage. 17 homes experienced minor damage and most of the homes that were damaged were in Mayer with a few in Spring Valley.
Augst 2016 - In Congress a 9.1 foot rise was reported on Martinez Creek. Residents downstream reported washed out roads and some areas were not accessible because of the flooding. In Cordes Junction, the Hassayampa River rose about 8 feet and was flowing rapidly.
July 2016 - In Mayer the 50s Diner and Bar flooded with 3 foot deep water throughout the building. The Arizona DPS reported that cars were stuck in flooding on I-17 with mud and hail piled on the road surface. The river gauge on Agua Fria River rose 6.5 feet (0 to 2,900 CFS in less than 15 minutes at 7:30 PM).
July of 2015 - Fifteen residents were rescued from homes in Verde Lakes Estates where seven homes had significant flood damage. The flooding came from a tributary of West Clear Creek.