Hikers trapped as flash flood makes river ‘impossible to cross,’ Arizona cops say
.jpeg "A flash flood left two hikers stranded, deputies said.")
Rapidly rising waters trapped two hikers in Arizona as flash floods inundated the state.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office got a report of the stranded hikers the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 26, deputies said in a Facebook post.
“The hikers were trapped when the river became a swift, debris-filled current, making it impossible to cross,” deputies said.
Deputies said the dangerous conditions led them to rescue the hikers by helicopter.
As an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter team made its way, deputies said rescuers “threw a bag with a radio and supplies to the hikers,” who were not hurt.
Shortly after, the helicopter crew landed near the hikers, then flew them from the area, deputies said.
The sheriff’s office urged “that waterways can become dangerous in an instant, especially during rainstorms,” adding that people should “always be aware of your surroundings and the weather forecast.”
Flash floods leave at least 4 dead
Torrential rainfall led to flash floods across Arizona on Friday, Sept. 26, leaving at least four people dead, NBC News reported.
Three of the reported deaths were in Globe, Gila County emergency manager Carl Medford told the outlet.
A 38-year-old man drowned in Scottsdale after he was caught in a flash flood while driving, the medical examiner’s office told KSAZ.
Phoenix saw its wettest day in seven years Sept. 26, with heavy downpours bringing 1.64 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service, the Weather Channel reported.
What to do in a flood
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security. They can develop both slowly and quickly, and flash floods can come without warning.
If you’re under a flood warning or are experiencing flooding, officials say you should follow these steps to help keep you safe:
- Find safe shelter immediately.
- Don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
- Stay in your car if it’s trapped in rapidly moving water, or go on the roof if the water is rising inside the vehicle.
- Evacuate if told to do so. Listen to local responders.
- Move to higher ground or if you’re trapped in a building, move to the highest possible level.
- Only get on your roof if necessary, and don’t climb into a closed attic.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Hikers trapped as flash flood makes river ‘impossible to cross,’ Arizona cops say."
