Museum Flood Area July 15 update

FLAGSTAFF — The following email was sent to Museum Flood Area residents (the evening of July 15:)

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area and the nearby neighborhoods susceptible to monsoonal flooding: 

– States of Emergency: Today Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan declared States of Emergency on behalf of the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021. Declaring a State of Emergency allows the City and County to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona. 

– Emergency Operations Center: An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated today. Jointly staffed by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff, the EOC serves as the central command and control center for all emergency management activities related to recent flooding in the Museum Flood Area and nearby neighborhoods.         

– Sandbag Sites: A new sandbag station with prefilled sandbags available for pick-up has been established at the south parking lot of Coconino High School located at 2801 N Izabel near the Hal Jensen Recreation Center. A self-fill sandbag station is available for pick-up at Coconino County Health and Human Services, 2625 King Street. Click here for more information: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2134/Sandbag-Information. Over the last three days, it is estimated that more than 50,000 sandbags have been utilized by residents.  

– Facebook Live: Join Coconino County and City of Flagstaff leadership and experts to learn more about the latest clean-up and mitigation efforts tomorrow, Friday, July 16 at 10:30 a.m. on Coconino County’s Facebook page. 

– Storm Activity: Minimal monsoon activity was recorded over the Museum Burn scar today, giving County and City crews an opportunity for drainage clean-up and street clearing.  

– Road & Drainage Update: All channels and inlets were cleared by the County’s contractor today. Crews continue to work on the City’s storm drain system, which remains severely compromised. The team is seeking additional equipment designed to address the level of debris in the system.  

– Flood Impact Assessment Update: An assessment of the damage of the flood events showed that 12 homes and/or garages sustained interior flooding in the Museum Flood Area, and 15 homes and/or garages sustained interior flooding in the Upper East Flagstaff area. If your home has been impacted on the interior by flooding, then please report the impacts by calling the Museum Call Center at 928-679-8525. 

The below is important information for residents of the Museum Flood Area and those who experienced monsoonal flooding. 

  • SHELTER IN PLACE: During flood events, residents should shelter in place. Do not get close to the flood water – please remain in your home. Know where your children and pets are at all times. Never enter drainages.  
  • DEBRIS ON PROPERTY: If you have debris on your property, then you should move the debris to the street if you are able. This will help County and City Public Works crews remove the debris with their heavy equipment. If you are elderly or disabled and need assistance with repairing sandbag walls or with debris removal, then please call the Call Center at 928-679-8525.  
  • PARKED CARS: If you live on one of the streets that has debris as a result of the flood, then please do not park your car on the streets. Parked cars on these streets prevent the sandbags from doing their job—protecting your property. 
  • MORE RAIN: Additional rain is expected on the Museum burn scar and in the City of Flagstaff. This means that people in the area need to be alert and be prepared to shelter in place. Charge your phones. Assemble a Stay Kit with the following: 
  • First aid kit 
  • Pet supplies 
  • Manual can opener 
  • Cell phone & charger 
  • Personal hygiene items  
  • Cash (e.g., small bills and coins) 
  • Flashlight(s) with extra batteries 
  • 72 hours worth of food and water 
  • Copy of Family Communication Plan 
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio 
  • Prescription medications and eyeglasses 
  • Important papers (e.g., insurance and financial) 

If you would like to be added to this email distribution list, please send an email to museumfloodinfo@coconino.az.gov with “Add me to the Email Museum Flood Area List” in the subject line.