Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Flagstaff AZ
- Areas
- Yavapai, AZ
- Places
- Verde Lakes, Rockin' River Ranch State Park, West Clear Creek Wilderness
- In effect
- until 12:00 AM MST, Oct 23, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Observed
What the National Weather Service says
“Flash flooding is ongoing.”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Flash Flood Warning, 7:07 PM MST Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Flash Flood Warning, 7:07 PM MST Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Flooding of washes and creeks will occur, some dirt roads will become muddy and impassable.”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Flash Flood Warning, 7:07 PM MST Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
What to do
If you are near West Clear Creek, the Verde River, or any wash or creek in the warned area, move to higher ground now. Do not wait to see the water rise.
Stay off flooded roads. The National Weather Service says paved roads and underpasses could flood, and some dirt roads will become muddy and impassable. Never drive around barricades or into flooded roads.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Turn around, don't drown.
If you are at a campground or swimming hole named in the warning, such as Clear Creek Group Campgrounds, Bull Pen Day Use Area or Indian Maiden Falls, leave the creek area and get to higher ground.
Context
The warning says it includes State Route 260 between mile markers 225 and 227, and near mile marker 229. Drivers using that route should expect flooding.
FEMA flood-insurance records show 470 claims in Yavapai County from 1978 to 2026, as of September 9, 2026. These count only insured properties, so they likely understate total flood impacts. The county also had a federal disaster declaration in 2010 for severe winter storms and flooding.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 12:00 AM MST.
- The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning until 12:00 AM MST.
- NWS Flagstaff AZ issued the flash flood warning until 8:00 PM MST.
History here
Yavapai County: 470 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Yavapai County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1888 (2010): severe winter storms and flooding
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Yavapai County, Arizona?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Flash Flood Warning for Yavapai County at 2:00 PM MST. It runs until 8:00 PM MST on October 22, 2026.
- What is causing the flash flooding in Yavapai County?
- Repeated heavy rainfall from thunderstorms has caused a 2.5 foot rise in West Clear Creek, according to the National Weather Service. Radar indicated the thunderstorms, and flash flooding is ongoing.
- Which places are affected by this flash flood warning?
- The National Weather Service names Verde Lakes, Rockin' River Ranch State Park, Indian Maiden Falls and West Clear Creek Wilderness. It also includes State Route 260 near mile markers 225 to 227 and 229, and West Clear Creek and the Verde River.
Sources
- NWS Flagstaff AZ: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 22, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.