Camp Verde, AZ – Sunday night turned into a nightmare for over a hundred households when Beaver Creek overflowed after heavy rains, sending water rushing into homes along the creek’s banks. By Monday morning, the water had receded enough for residents to assess the damage, and most of the affected houses were left in ruins.
Rainfall and emergency declarations
Parts of Arizona are under a state of emergency after more than four inches of rain fell in the central Valley and six inches in the northern part of the state. The intense precipitation caused rivers and creeks to swell beyond their capacity, with Beaver Creek in Camp Verde breaching its banks and flooding the surrounding neighborhood.
First‑hand accounts of the flood
Shanna Saunders, a longtime resident, described the rapid rise of the water. “My husband was inside the home as the water rose. Within minutes, the water reached every home along the shore,” she said. When she returned Monday, her feet sank into eight inches of mud inside her own living room.
“Living room, all my furniture got piled here. Here’s the bar that got shoved into my kitchen,” Saunders recounted, pointing to a kitchen bar that had been forced into place by the surge. She also showed a shattered back‑patio window, a stark reminder of the force that had swept through the area.
Personal impact and gratitude
Although the flood caused extensive property loss, Saunders emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse. “It could have been worse. I could have lost my husband,” she said, recalling how a friend of her husband’s shouted for him to get out in time. Both Saunders and her husband are safe, but the emotional toll is evident. “I’ve had my crying moments,” she admitted, adding, “It could be worse.”
Insurance gaps and community response
Many families in the affected area do not carry flood insurance, leaving them vulnerable to the financial burden of rebuilding. In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help families along Beaver Creek cover immediate expenses and begin the recovery process.
Looking ahead
Local officials continue to monitor water levels and assess infrastructure damage throughout Yavapai, Coconino and Navajo counties. The recent deaths in Flagstaff underscore the broader danger that the storm system poses across the region.
Residents are urged to stay away from flooded areas until authorities deem them safe and to seek assistance through local relief organizations. As the community rallies to support those displaced, the hope is that rebuilding efforts will restore homes and bring a sense of normalcy back to Camp Verde.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
