Three dead, others missing after flooding in rural Globe, Arizona
Search and rescue efforts continue as authorities warn of hazards in the town’s historic downtown after severe floods.
Three people have died and others are believed missing after flooding in Globe, a rural community in Gila County, Arizona, officials said Saturday.
Two of the deceased were found in a vehicle and a third person was found elsewhere after the flood Friday in Globe, a city of about 7,250 residents located roughly 88 miles east of Phoenix. Gila County Emergency Management manager Carl Melford told KPHO-TV that crews were responding to the scene as the water receded and hazards emerged.
Searchers looked for missing people through Friday night, and additional help arrived Saturday to continue the search, city officials said on Facebook. Authorities emphasized that the downtown area remains off-limits due to compromised buildings and the presence of hazardous chemicals and debris, including propane tanks swept away in floodwaters.
Globe is a former mining town with a long history in central Arizona. The flooding damaged neighborhoods and infrastructure along the town’s perimeters, prompting emergency declarations and sustained response efforts as crews work to assess damage and identify anyone who may be unaccounted for.
Officials said the situation remains fluid as responders map affected areas and coordinate with state agencies and emergency-management partners. While authorities have not provided a final count of missing persons, they cautioned that the number could change as searches continue and assessments proceed.
The episode underscores the ongoing risk of sudden floods in rural Arizona communities and the challenges of recovery in areas where infrastructure and buildings are vulnerable to rapid runoff and debris-littered floodwaters.