On Thursday afternoon, emergency crews responded to a dramatic rescue in the Rimrock community of Sedona, where a sudden flash‑flood swept an SUV downstream on Wet Beaver Creek.
Incident details
At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a vehicle stranded on the creek’s roof near the intersection of Dragonshead Road and Culpepper Ranch Road. When deputies arrived at the Wet Beaver Creek crossing, they found the SUV had been carried about 150 feet downstream by powerful, fast‑moving currents.
Four occupants were clinging to the vehicle’s roof, calling for help. Deputies quickly relayed the exact GPS coordinates to the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s helicopter unit.
Helicopter rescue
The state helicopter arrived on scene within minutes. Using a winch and rescue harnesses, the flight crew lifted each person safely from the roof and lowered them to dry land. All four individuals were rescued without reported injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
Safety reminder
Flash‑floods can develop rapidly in desert canyons, especially after heavy rain upstream. Local officials urge residents and visitors to avoid crossing creeks and low‑water bridges during storm conditions and to stay informed of weather alerts.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson reminded the public that the department remains ready to respond to emergencies in the area and encouraged anyone who sees a similar situation to call 911 immediately.
Community response
Neighbors in the Rimrock area expressed relief that the rescue was successful and praised the coordination between county deputies and the state helicopter team. The incident underscores the importance of well‑trained first‑responders and the value of rapid communication in life‑threatening situations.
There were no injuries reported, and the rescued individuals were taken to a local medical facility for evaluation as a precaution.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
