Heavy rain forces emergency declaration in Prescott

Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing declared a state of emergency on Sunday after heavy, continuous rainfall flooded parts of the city and caused Watson Lake Dam to overtop.

The city activated its Emergency Operations Center at 8 a.m. to coordinate the response across all departments. Officials are working with Yavapai County and the state of Arizona to manage the situation.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for Yavapai County on Thursday, October 29. The watch remained in effect from Saturday evening through late Sunday night. It warned of flash flooding caused by heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.

City officials noted that the ground, particularly in the mountains, produced two to three times the normal runoff. Water flowing into Watson Lake peaked at more than 4,000 cubic feet per second. Flows have since dropped to about 1,680 cubic feet per second. The dam is rated to handle water flowing up to 10 feet over the top. Officials are continuously monitoring the structure for concerns.

Before the storms arrived, the Public Works Department opened Watson Lake’s 36-inch release valve and the crosscut channel to Willow Lake. This action lowered the reservoir to make room for incoming stormwater. Upper Goldwater Reservoir has also topped, and the city is closely monitoring Lower Goldwater Reservoir. Willow Lake Dam sits 7.5 feet below its spillway with no reported structural concerns.

All low water crossings in the city are currently closed. Road closures include Sixth Street, Sonora Drive at Campbell Street, and specific sections of South Granite Street, Walden Road, and Brannen Avenue. Granite Creek Park is also closed. Several traffic signals went out during the day, and drivers are advised to treat non-functioning signals as four-way stops.

Sand and sandbags are available at the White Spar Fire Station, the Airport Fire Station, and CAFMA Fire Station 51. Residents must bring their own shovels and fill the bags themselves. A shelter for displaced residents has opened in the Yavapai College Prescott Campus Gymnasium at 1100 E. Sheldon. For non-emergency flood calls, residents can reach the Yavapai County Emergency Management phone bank at 928-442-5103.