Prescott declares state of emergency as heavy rain floods city

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 03:32 · Archive

Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing declared a state of emergency after heavy rainfall caused significant flooding and overtopped Watson Lake Dam on Sunday.

Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing declared a state of emergency after heavy, continuous rainfall caused significant flooding across the city and overtopped Watson Lake Dam on Sunday. The city activated its Emergency Operations Center at 8 a.m. and coordinated the emergency response with Yavapai County and the state of Arizona.

Water flowing into Watson Lake peaked at more than 4,000 cubic feet per second. City officials attributed the high flows to saturated ground, especially in the mountains, which produced two to three times the normal runoff. Flows later dropped to about 1,680 cubic feet per second. Watson Lake Dam, also known as Granite Dam, is rated to handle water flowing up to 10 feet over the top. Upper Goldwater Reservoir also topped. Willow Lake Dam stands 7.5 feet below its spillway with no reported structural concerns.

Before the storms, the Public Works Department opened Watson Lake's 36-inch release valve and the crosscut channel to Willow Lake to lower the reservoir and make room for incoming stormwater. All low water crossings in the city were closed, and several traffic signals went out during the day. Sand and sandbags became available at three locations for residents.

How it is being reported

• Prescott declares state of emergency as flooding hammers parts of ArizonaPrescott Mayor Cathey Rusing has declared a state of emergency after heavy, continuous rainfall caused significant flooding across the city and overtopped Watson Lake Dam on Sunday.KOLD · 2 Nov, 02:20
• Prescott declares state of emergency as flooding hammers parts of ArizonaPrescott Mayor Cathey Rusing has declared a state of emergency after heavy, continuous rainfall caused significant flooding across the city and overtopped Watson Lake Dam on Sunday.Azfamily · 2 Nov, 01:40

In this story: Prescott · Cathey Rusing · Watson Lake Dam · Yavapai County · Arizona

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