Water rose 7 feet in Prescott as Yavapai County stays in emergency

Water levels in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained high on Monday as emergency crews conducted multiple water rescues. The county stayed under a declared state of emergency while floodwaters from northern Arizona continued to flow south through creeks, streams, and rivers.

In Cornville, deputies and Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers faced strong currents. They secured ropes to trees and swam through the water to reach residents trapped inside their homes. After rescuing a woman, crews discovered a man was still inside. They used a kayak to transport him to safety.

Business owners along Granite Creek in Prescott monitored the rising water. Jim Bellington, owner of LazyG Brewhouse, reported that the creek crested well above normal levels. He stated the water was six to seven feet higher than usual and spilled over the banks onto Granite Street. Bellington said he had not seen that much water in the last 20 years. The floodwaters did not enter his restaurant.

The American Red Cross opened shelters across the county to provide meals and resources. David Leinweber, a Red Cross volunteer, said the shelter at his location did not fill quickly because local conditions stayed below Level 2. He noted that only a family from Ash Fork spent time at that specific site. Shelters remain open for residents who were unable to leave their homes earlier.

Prescott did not experience the same level of flooding as other parts of the county. However, officials said water levels along local waterways stayed elevated. Long-time residents reported seeing waterway heights they had not witnessed in decades.