DUNCAN, AZ — The Town of Duncan is under inches of water Monday morning after strong storms caused Gila River flooding.
The Gila River, near Duncan, which is east of Safford along the Arizona-New Mexico border, reached the "major" flood stage Monday morning.
Gila River at Duncan, AZ (Greenlee Co) reaching major flood stage this morning.
— Jorge Torres (@JorgeTWeather) August 22, 2022
Flood Warning along the Gila until 9PM tonight. #azwx pic.twitter.com/DA5RZJ75c1
According to National Weather Service data, all previous historic crests of the Gila River at Duncan are measured below the Monday morning measurement of 22.54 feet.
NWS also says the Gila River crested at more than 30 feet, breaking an all-time record for the gauge site near Virden, New Mexico, which is located just east of Duncan.
Last night, the Gila River near Virden, NM crested at 30.28 feet, breaking the all-time record water level for that gauge site. River flooding will continue across southern New Mexico today due to recent heavy rains. #nmwx pic.twitter.com/iogCTbBxNa
— NWS El Paso (@NWSElPaso) August 22, 2022
PHOTOS: Gila River leaves Duncan under inches of water
The Duncan Valley Rural Fire District says a “mass evacuation of flood prone areas” is currently underway. Those areas include "all areas lower than High Street and the Chaparral Store" officials say:
- EAST AVE
- 4TH BELOW THE HIGHWAY
- 3RD BELOW THE HIGHWAY
- ASH ST
- ACACIA ST
- PECAN ST
- MAIN ST
- MADISON ST
- HOBBS ST
- HARWELL ST
- PHILPOTT AVE
- STADIUM ST
- WILSON ST
- TYLER LANE
- WEST END BY CAR WASH
- COTTONWOOD ST
- CHURCH ST
- GALE AVE
The Greenlee County Fairgrounds is open as an evacuation center, fire officials say. Those with livestock are able to use the corrals.
Photos and videos of the area showed large areas of the town and surrounding land completely underwater.
It's not yet known how much damage or loss the town suffered amid the flooding or whether any injuries were reported.
A Flood Warning is in effect for the area until Monday night as more storms are expected.
Arizona Department of Transportation says US 70 is closed in both directions at milepost 378, in Duncan, due to the flooding.
CLOSED: US 70 is closed in both directions at MP 378 in Duncan. The closure is due to flooding. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/u0DQowaLiM
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 22, 2022
The town had been monitoring flood potential since Sunday morning due to heavy monsoon storms.
