City of Globe hit with intense flooding and rainfall during a storm
Extreme flooding and rainfall hit Globe, Arizona as vehicles and debris float down a road Sept. 26, 2025.
Courtesy of Storyful
At least four people were dead after heavy rain throughout much of central Arizona resulted in flash flooding in metro Phoenix, along with the rural communities of Globe-Miami, according to emergency responders.
The Phoenix area alone received about 1.64 inches of rain, the heaviest rainfall since 2018, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Those several inches of rainfall were met with wet creeks and roadways prone to heavy runoff that resulted in floods, according to NWS officials.
The city of Globe was under a state of emergency as a result of the flooding. Later in the day, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced a state of emergency for Gila County.
Here’s what we know so far about the flooding and reported fatalities.
3 dead as Globe faces dangerous flooding
Carl Melford, manager for the Gila County Emergency Management, told The Arizona Republic that at least three people had been killed as a result of the floods.
He said there was not a confirmed number of missing as search and rescue operations remained ongoing.
Flash floods in Gila County prompted a state of emergency for the city of Globe, according to the mayor.
The eastbound lanes of U.S. 60 were closed intermittently at mile post 249 in Globe due to the flood, with no estimated time for a full reopening, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings after heavy rain hit the Globe-Miami area late Sept. 26.
Meteorologist Gabriel Lojero with the NWS in Phoenix said approximately two inches of rain saturated the Globe-Miami area Thursday. When several more inches fell Friday night, it led to what he described as “catastrophic” runoff.
Mayor Al Gameros, the former fire chief of Globe, said “numerous” vehicles were swept away in the flooding, and search and rescue teams had already been dispatched. Crews were also working to contain propane tanks scattered across the roadways, according to Gameros.
“The City of Globe is in an active emergency mode,” Gameros said in a statement on Facebook.
“At this point we can’t confirm if there is (death) or how many,” said Gameros, but said he expected an official number to be released later Sept. 27.
According to city officials, the downtown Globe area was considered unsafe due to damaged buildings and hazardous chemicals in the area, including propane tanks.
The public was asked to stay out of creeks as crews were actively working on search and rescue operations.
Local, state and federal government respond to floods
Over 150 personnel were on site, Mayor Gameros said in an emergency council meeting on the afternoon of Sept. 27.
A hazmat assessment had been completed on the many propane tanks littered by the floods, but crews were still enroute to recover the damage.
Officials said about 1,000 propane tanks were washed away during the flood.
Gameros said the local government had received support offers from Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Gov. Katie Hobbs, as the community faces an extensive recovery effort.
“It’s going to take all of us,” Gamero said, holding back tears.
The city council later passed an emergency proclamation to aid in the recovery efforts.
Red Cross shelters were set up at High Desert Middle School in Globe and Lee Kornegay Intermediate School in Miami.
In the town of Miami, officials gave similar orders for the public to stay out of the downtown area.
Rain returns to the area, calls off search operations
As storms returned to the area around 3 p.m., search and rescue operations were called off for the safety of all crews involved, according to Mayor Gameros.
Around 4 p.m., the city warned that a storm cell was spotted over the Pinal Mountains, which cradle much of the Globe area to the south.
The NWS issued a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. for the Globe-Miami area.
Gameros emphasized that crews are working to stabilize and clean up the area so that business and property owners most affected by the floods can begin to return. However, ongoing weather conditions have complicated those efforts.
An information line has been set up for residents with questions about the flooding and its aftermath. According to a county Facebook post, the public can reach the call center at (928) 402-8888 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Residents could signup for emergency notifications from Gila County at http://gilacountyaz.gov/alerts.
Lifelong residents of Globe witness to destruction
Two lifelong Globe residents told The Arizona Republic about the severe destruction left in the wake of the floods — and how the community was already coming together to begin cleanup efforts.
Aurelie Flores, 60, had just driven from her home in Globe to nearby Miami when she became stuck in heavy traffic caused by the widespread damage. She described the scene as littered with mud, abandoned vehicles and pressurized tanks scattered by the flooding.
“That was the biggest storm I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Flores said.
She said the creek near her house was roaring and reaching heights she had never seen before in her entire time living in Globe.
James Mills, 42, said he was briefly swept away in the floods.
“It was just one inch high in downtown, then next thing you know, water was in the cab leg length,” Mills said.
Although he made it out safely, his vehicle sustained significant damage to its transmission and electrical system.
Body recovered from Scottsdale wash
Back in metro Phoenix, about 90 minutes west of Globe, one person was found dead in a flooded wash near Miller Road and Roosevelt Street, according to Adam Hoster, deputy chief for the Scottsdale Fire Department.
Sgt. Allison Sempsis, spokesperson for Scottsdale police, said a vehicle was located at about 7:40 p.m. on Sept. 26, with a passenger inside the fully flooded cab.
“The passenger compartment was fully flooded, with only the trunk visible above water,” Sempsis said.
Police later learned the occupant of the vehicle, identified as Ander Polanco, 38, had been reported missing around an hour earlier, according to Sempsis.
His body was recovered from outside the vehicle once water levels had receded, Sempsis said.
This is a developing story, check back to azcentral.com for more details.
Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.