Ariz. Gov. Declares Emergency in Coconino County

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino County, where heavy rains have flooded local roads and prompted evacuations in portions of the northern Arizona county.

The declaration releases $200,000 in funding from the Governor’s Emergency Management Fund to be used to pay for emergency-related expenses, including personnel, equipment, and to repair damage caused by the incident. Additionally, the declaration authorizes the Adjutant General to activate the Arizona National Guard in the event their assistance is needed.

Through the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), the state has provided 10,000 sandbags each to Coconino and Yavapai Counties (and will provide 5,000 more to Coconino on Thursday). Yavapai and Gila County are also experiencing heavy rains.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center has also been activated, enabling authorities to better assess flooding conditions in all three counties, and coordinate the appropriate response.

Western storms in several states this week have killed 7 people to date.