In the aftermath of severe flooding over the weekend, the Southside neighborhood of Flagstaff is grappling with the extensive damage left behind. Residents and business owners are assessing the destruction as they begin the long recovery process.
Residents Flee as Floodwaters Rise
Yves Wood, a resident of the Southside neighborhood, did all they could to protect their home from the rising waters. Despite barricading the front door, Wood ultimately had to evacuate on Sunday afternoon. “It started coming from below my house, and so it started coming up through the floorboards, and at that point, I was like, ‘Well, if there’s any time to go, now’s the time,’” Wood shared with KNAU.
The flooding, which began over the weekend, inundated homes, businesses, and streets. Tragically, the current claimed the life of one man, who was later found dead. The heavy rains affected regions beyond Flagstaff, with communities from Chinle to Tucson experiencing similar challenges.
Community Struggles with Aftermath
On Monday, street sweepers were busy clearing the mud and debris left in the flood’s wake. Evidence of the water’s reach was visible on buildings, with a muddy mark about eight inches high. Yves Wood, an astronomy student at Northern Arizona University, noted that although they rent their home, the rainwater damaged many of their belongings.
Eshaan Tandon, another NAU student, expressed concerns about potential damage to his car. “A couple of our neighbors had some problems,” Tandon recounted. “They came and knocked on our door, asked for help. We had to push a couple cars out of the street. I would say it was maybe like two feet deep right here.”
Local Businesses Face Economic Hardship
The flooding also significantly impacted local businesses. Taylor Mahoney of Flagstaff Camera returned to find their shop flooded despite the sandbags they had placed. “When I came back this morning, the high water mark was probably 6 or 8 inches up, and the whole building’s covered in fine silty mud,” Mahoney said, adding that the economic impact would be immediate and severe.
Don Hulen, the owner of Bandos restaurant, voiced concerns about the lack of flood insurance among local businesses. “I’ve owned businesses downtown since 2012. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Hulen remarked. Although his restaurant was spared, he worried about his uninsured neighbors.
The City of Flagstaff has urged residents to report damages online and avoid severely affected areas such as Southside and downtown. In a show of community support, local musicians are organizing a benefit concert for the Southside Community Association at Hops on Birch, scheduled for Monday evening.
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