Search, cleanup efforts continue after devastating flooding in Gila County

PHOENIX – Search, rescue and cleanup efforts continued in Gila County on Monday after deadly flooding ravaged Globe and surrounding areas.

An Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) incident management team is overseeing the multi-agency search efforts and debris-clearing operations.

Search & rescue ops along w/debris removal cont. today across Globe & Gila County.

Today – two @Arizona_DPS Unmanned Aircraft System platforms will support w/aerial search missions as SAR teams rest their K9s for the day.

Significant progress was made yesterday with all… pic.twitter.com/IybKF0Mhkv

— AZ Dept. Forestry and Fire Management (@azstateforestry) September 29, 2025

Crews have been searching vehicles that were swept away by floodwaters in Pinal Creek since Saturday.

Six search and rescue teams with cadaver dogs are getting a rest day on Monday and will return to action on Tuesday. The dogs covered 4 miles in the Wheatfields area on Sunday, leaving about 7 miles in Globe and Miami that still need to be searched.

In the meantime, the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s drone unit is leading Monday’s search efforts, DFFM said.

Also Monday, a U.S. Forest Service hotshot crew is out cutting and clearing debris within Pinal Creek on the east side of Broad Street.

Additionally, heavy equipment is being used to remove hundreds of remaining propane tanks that floodwaters dislodged from a Globe-area distribution facility.

At least three people killed by Gila County flooding

The Gila County Department of Public Health and Community Services confirmed at least three flood-related deaths so far. It’s unclear how many people are still missing.

Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency for Gila County on Saturday in the wake of catastrophic flooding. The edict released $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to support ongoing efforts.

About 2.5 inches of rain fell in Globe over 24 hours, flooding creeks and roadways.

The downpour quickly flooded Globe’s downtown area Friday. One of the first areas hit was a propane tank distributor, sending about 1,000 residential-size tanks throughout the community.

Authorities are asking residents to not go out searching in the floodwaters because search and rescue officials are accompanied by dogs who might pick up the scent of aspiring volunteers instead of possible flood victims.

The flooding prompted the Arizona Department of Transportation to cancel daytime closures scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on US 60 between Superior and Miami. However, officials noted that post-flood cleanup operations could cause delays in the area.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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