Four dead as severe floods trigger hazmat risk in Globe, Arizona
Severe floods affecting Gila County and parts of central Arizona since September 25, 2025, left at least four people dead and created a major hazmat risk in Globe after around 1 000 propane tanks were washed into the downtown area. Multiple historic buildings in Globe sustained structural damage, prompting officials to declare the city center unsafe.
Damage and debris left by flooding across Globe-Miami area on September 27, 2025. Credit: Donald Earven
At least four fatalities have been reported following multi-day flooding in Gila County and parts of central Arizona since September 25. The floods also washed away around 1 000 propane tanks downtown in the city of Globe, creating a serious hazmat risk.
Search and rescue crews have been all over the area all night and into September 27, looking for missing people. The biggest concern right now is about 1 000 propane tanks that were washed downstream, according to Carl Melford, the emergency manager at Gila County Division of Emergency Management.
“This has caused a major hazmat issue,” he said. “We’ve called in pretty much as many state resources as we can get.”
Three people died after rain inundated Globe, a city of about 7 250 people, about 142 km (88 miles) east of Phoenix, Carl Melford, emergency manager in Gila County, told KPHO. Two people were found in a vehicle and another in the floodwaters, he said. They were not immediately identified by authorities.
Another person was found dead on the morning of September 27, near a vehicle caught in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix the night before.
The vehicle appeared to be empty after it was spotted partially submerged in about 2.5 m (8 feet) of fast-moving water on Friday evening in a greenbelt park area, the Scottsdale Fire Department said. Crews found the body of a person pinned underneath a walkway bridge after the water dropped a bit overnight.
“Historic Downtown Globe is currently unsafe, with compromised buildings as well as hazardous chemicals and debris, including propane tanks,” Globe city officials posted on Facebook. “For your safety, please stay out of the area until further notice.”
Multiple historic buildings in downtown Globe were damaged by the raging waters due to flooding since September 25. The exterior wall of the Wild Horses Saloon was ripped off during the storm, leaving shattered glass scattered in the road.
Thunderstorms and flash floods had begun affecting the region on September 25 and continued through September 26 into the weekend. On the evening of September 26, a rain gauge at the Globe courthouse recorded 53.1 mm (2.09 inches) of rain in just 25 minutes.
The area previously experienced flooding in 2021 after a wildfire, but it didn’t happen like this, Melford said. The city is near canyons that can funnel water from the mountains into the community very quickly.
“This was an extremely heavy amount of rain in an extremely short period of time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded the highest one-day rainfall of 7 years. It recorded 41.7 mm (1.64 inches)of rain through September 26, the highest since October 13, 2018, when 55.6 mm (2.19 inches) of rain fell in the area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). It was also the city’s fourth-wettest day on record since 2000.
The record-setting rainstorm sent mud and debris onto the ramp connecting southbound I-17 to westbound I-10 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, forcing closure of the interchange.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a State of Emergency on the evening of September 27, to support ongoing rescue operations and help clean up damage across the cities. The Arizona National Guard will also be deployed to assist in the rescue missions. Crews from California and Nevada are coming to Arizona to help with the efforts.
Hobbs said the state emergency operation center is operated at Level 1 with 24-hour staffing from 20 agencies and over 45 personnel. The Arizona Department of Public Safety deployed more than 70 personnel, as well as ranger and drone support, to help with the searches. Six different county sheriff’s offices also sent in crews. More than 25 staff and crews from Arizona Department of Transport are assisting in clearing roads in the area.
Authorities say there is no definitive number of people who may still be missing. Search and rescue operations will be conducted on the ground.
Officials said in addition to hazmat teams, over 100 additional search and rescue crews are in the area looking for any others who may have been swept away.
The washed-away propane tanks are another major concern as they pose a serious risk of explosion and fire across the area.
Globe city council members declared an emergency, saying they have never seen anything like the flooding.
Scores of people have stepped up to volunteer, said Mayor Al Gamero, adding that many buildings in the community’s downtown have been damaged. Officials asked people to stay away from the area until they could ensure it is safe to go in there.
“Our primary, again, is search and rescue,” said Gamero.
Two evacuation shelter locations have been set up to help Globe-Miami residents:
- Lee Kornegy Intermediate School – 4635 Railroad Ave, Miami, Arizona 85539
- High Desert Middle School – 4000 High Desert Dr, Globe, Arizona
The Apache Gold Casino & Resort in San Carlos, east of Globe, has also opened its pavilion as an emergency shelter and is providing rooms for those in need.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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