Forecasters Warn of Flash Flooding in Northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Thunder roared as heavy rain fell steadily over communities north of Flagstaff, sending water rushing through local roads.

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Residents shoveled mud and rocks from culverts and stacked sandbags in front of garage doors and homes, trying unsuccessfully at times to keep water and mud from flowing inside. Tractors, bulldozers and other heavy equipment were working to clean up from the aftermath of a sudden storm earlier this week when more rain fell.

It's a scene that residents and officials are certain will play out repeatedly over the next five years. With little vegetation left after a 15,000-acre wildfire roared through the landscape upslope from the communities, water flows into them more easily.

"When the sun comes out, everyone feels OK, but it's just going to keep coming and coming," said Tom Koronkiewicz as he surveyed his yard.

The rainy weather isn't expected to let up until next week.

Dan Neary, a soil scientist with the U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station in Flagstaff, said last month's fire made the soil water repellent. That, combined with the steep mountain slopes and continued heavy rain, will cause soil erosion, he said.

"This process will continue until you get some healing of the area," he said.

The Forest Service is overseeing efforts to slow flood waters in the area with drops of straw mulch by air. But Coconino National Forest spokeswoman Karen Malis-Clark said the agency still is working on a long-term plan.

"Stuff like this that we're doing in the yards, this needs to be done on a large scale," Koronkiewicz said. "When that water comes down, that hay and straw they're dropping on the mountain isn't going to stop it."

Residents, volunteers and firefighters were filling sandbags at one of three stations Thursday, creating mud berms in their yards and lining homes with the sandbags and straw barriers.

"I think it sucks," said Cindy Wade, who recently bought a home in one of the communities at the foot of the mountains and was loading sandbags into a truck. "I expected to be hiking and riding my horse up there. This is not in my big plan."

The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings, watches and advisories this week for the area, which have prompted reverse 911 calls to hundreds of residents north of Flagstaff urging them to seek higher ground.

Authorities on Thursday asked that residents who felt safe stay put and not try to beat the floodwaters, said Coconino County spokeswoman Brenda Grey.

The repeated flooding delayed mail delivery, shut down septic systems and water lines, and blocked access to roadways and off-road vehicle areas.

A disaster declaration that Gov. Jan Brewer signed Wednesday released $200,000 for emergency response costs. The funds did not cover repairs to individual homes, and the flood insurance that many residents purchased after the fire hasn't kicked in yet.

County officials are tracking damage to homes reported through a hot line. That information will be turned over to damage assessment teams and used to determine whether the area meets thresholds to qualify for state or federal assistance, Grey said.

A community meeting was scheduled Friday at Flagstaff's Sinagua High School.