Ducey signs emergency declaration for Coconino County flooding

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency in Coconino County on Friday in order to divulge more state resources to areas that were flooded from monsoon storms earlier this month.

The emergency declaration comes about two weeks after heavy rainfall moved through the county, causing significant flooding in well-traveled areas, including the popular hiking and camping destination Havasu Falls.

The monsoon storms occurred between July 14 and July 18. One of the storms dumped more than three inches of rain in about an hour, while another produced more than five inches of rain in two hours.

“The declaration process identifies the amount of work and the amount of damage that was distributed across the entire region,” Todd Whitney, the emergency management director, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Ducey’s declaration will direct $200,000 in emergency funds to support the ongoing response and recovery efforts in response to the flooding.

“This declaration will ensure that the necessary resources are available to protect the lives, pets and property of Arizonans,” Ducey said in a statement.

“Thank you to all of the first responders for their continued dedication to protecting Arizonans in this effort.”

Rescue workers evacuated around 200 tourists who were trapped by flash flooding in the area. No one was seriously injured.

Havasu Falls will be closed through August, it was announced recently, as the rain storms caused rock slides and mud to cut off access to a 10-mile hiking trail that goes to the campground. The mule train that delivers mail has also been halted.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report. 

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