Health & Safety
United States · Direct U.S. connection
Flood Warning Issued for Little Colorado River in Arizona
A Flood Warning remains in effect for parts of Coconino and Navajo counties, Arizona, due to continued flooding along the Little Colorado River from Birdsprings to Leupp, with impacts expected through Monday morning.
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THE PRIMARY BRIEF
- 01 · The primary finding
The National Weather Service (NWS) Flagstaff issued a Flood Warning for Coconino and Navajo counties, Arizona, for the Little Colorado River from Birdsprings to Leupp, active from October 25 at 1:27 PM MST until October 26 at 9:00 AM MST. Flooding along low-water crossings is occurring, posing a deadly hazard.
- 02 · The primary evidence
The official record is an NWS Flood Warning issued October 25 at 1:27 PM MST, stating "Flooding along the Little Colorado River from earlier excessive rainfall continues" and "Deadly flooding over low-water crossings." It specifies the location as "Little Colorado River from Birdsprings to Leupp" and the duration until "900 AM MST ... Monday." Earlier NWS warnings from October 23 confirm ongoing elevated flow and flooding concerns for the same river and area. Local reports from October 22 and 23 corroborate widespread flooding in the affected counties and the broader Four Corners region.
- 03 · Why it matters
The continued flood warning highlights an ongoing risk to communities and infrastructure along the Little Colorado River in Coconino and Navajo counties. The danger of deadly flooding over low-water crossings emphasizes potential threats to public safety and transportation in the affected areas.
A Flood Warning has been issued for parts of Coconino and Navajo counties in Arizona, effective from Sunday, October 25, at 1:27 PM MST until Monday, October 26, at 9:00 AM MST. The warning covers areas along the Little Colorado River, specifically from Birdsprings to Leupp. This alert indicates continued flooding due to earlier excessive rainfall.
Water levels on the Little Colorado River near Winslow had fallen below the action stage by 1:11 PM MST on October 25, but downstream impacts are expected to persist near Birdsprings through Monday morning. The flood stage at Winslow is 19.0 feet. At 1:00 PM MST on October 25, the stage was 16.94 feet. Flooding of low-water crossings is occurring and presents a deadly hazard.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Flagstaff had previously issued a flood warning on Friday, October 23, at 8:04 PM MST for the Little Colorado River from Winslow to Leupp, which was set to expire on Sunday, October 25, at 1:00 AM MDT. On that date, the river at Winslow was at 18.06 feet, close to the flood stage. Another warning, issued earlier on October 23 at 3:22 PM MST, covered the Little Colorado River from Holbrook to Leupp, also warning of impacts at 17.0 feet where approaches to the bridge on Navajo Route 71 near Birdsprings would flood.
The region has experienced significant rainfall leading to widespread flooding. Earlier in the week, on October 22, flood warnings were in effect for portions of Apache and Coconino counties, impacting Chinle Creek, Moenkopi Wash, and the Little Colorado River. Water levels in Moenkopi Wash near Tuba City reached 36.38 feet on Thursday morning, exceeding the 27-foot flood stage. Coconino County provided 20,000 sandbags to Lower Moenkopi Village on October 23, after the village requested assistance with the overflow of Moenkopi Wash, a tributary of the Little Colorado River.
This localized flooding is part of a broader severe weather event impacting the Four Corners region, which includes parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
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