Maricopa County Declares Local Emergency After Intense Flooding
In response to severe flooding caused by a three-day storm from October 30 to November 1, 2026, Maricopa County has issued a local emergency declaration for its unincorporated areas. This announcement, made by Chair Kate Brophy McGee on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, aligns with State law requirements.
The Emergency Declaration is designed to bolster the County’s efforts in resource coordination and response to safeguard residents and mitigate the storm’s effects. Maricopa County has also requested the State of Arizona to encompass the County in the State’s Emergency Declaration, which was also issued today.
Chair Brophy McGee of District 3 stated, “A series of storms over the past 72 hours brought torrential rain and strong wind to large portions of Maricopa County. There are communities and residents that are hurting, and I am hopeful this Emergency Declaration will help facilitate necessary resources for assistance. I thank Maricopa County 1st responders for their continued efforts, as well as people who throughout the storm and in its aftermath have been assisting their neighbors in need.”
Rainfall during the storm varied significantly, with the lower desert areas, including the Phoenix metropolitan region, experiencing 1 to 4 inches of rain. In contrast, areas located in the northern and eastern parts of Maricopa County witnessed rainfall amounts reaching up to 8 inches.
Throughout this weather event, several county departments, including the Maricopa County Flood Control District, Department of Transportation, Department of Emergency Management, and Sheriff’s Office, have been actively engaged in emergency response operations. Their actions include public safety alerts, search-and-rescue missions, road closures, and additional protective measures. Additionally, the County activated its Emergency Operations Center to facilitate coordination among County departments and community partners for both response and recovery efforts.
Continuous monitoring of conditions, such as water discharges from local dams and waterways, will persist, and the County will adjust its response and recovery plans as needed. Residents are urged to exercise caution, especially when navigating flooded roads, washes, and drainage areas, to heed road closure signs, and to avoid traversing moving water.
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