DUNCAN, AZ — The Town of Duncan found itself under inches of water Monday 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. River levels have started to drop, coming in at just below flood stages Tuesday morning.
Hopefully some good news for folks in #Duncan, AZ who've been dealing with major flooding - the river levels continue to drop this morning, now just below Flood Stage.
— Iris Hermosillo (@IrisABC15) August 23, 2022
The outlook shows it will continue to drop in the coming days. #abc15wx #azwx #monsoon #flooding #rain pic.twitter.com/7tvnDwRxug
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 said Monday a “mass evacuation of flood prone areas” was 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
On Monday afternoon, officials confirmed to ABC15 that the town is being re-evacuated as another levee in the area is at risk of breaking, asking those who have not yet left, to leave.
EVACUATIONS IN ORDER: sheriffs office re-evacuating small town of Duncan, Arizona.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) August 22, 2022
The Gila River hit ‘major’ flood stage early this AM as it went over 20.0 feet.
Another lever at risk of breaking, so they are telling people who haven’t left to leave Duncan. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/Da5Etpzk4Y
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 through much of Tuesday as more storms are expected.
The Flood Warning Is Extended for The Following Rivers in Arizona Flood Warning Now in Effect until Tomorrow Evening. https://t.co/9MKxaKKkhn #azwx pic.twitter.com/QMlcbz6ZxH
— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) August 22, 2022
Arizona Department of Transportation says US 70 was closed in both directions at milepost 378, in Duncan, due to the flooding. It reopened early Tuesday.
UPDATE: All lanes are now open on US 70 in Duncan. #aztraffic https://t.co/z6PFKX8TGl
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 23, 2022
The town had been monitoring flood potential since Sunday morning due to heavy monsoon storms.