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After nearly 2 inches of rain over Pipeline burn scar near Flagstaff, flood infrastructure holds

After a fairly dry monsoon season so far, flash floods hit areas north of Flagstaff on Sunday, including parts of Donnie Park, Timberline and the Wupatki Trails.

Water surged after it was dumped into the wreckage of a pipeline fire.

Coconino County said rain gauges in the affected area showed 3 inches of cumulative rainfall by the afternoon, with the highest gauges showing nearly 2 inches of rain in just over an hour.

This was far more rainfall than the storms that hit the area last year, causing extensive flooding across the downstream neighborhood. But Sunday’s picture was completely different.

After extensive flood mitigation work by Coconino County, the areas along the Wupatki Trail and Brandis Way were largely flood-free. Instead, newly completed waterways and storm drains swelled with rapid brown currents.

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Only areas along East Copeland Lane, where flood mitigation work had not yet begun, were affected by flooding. Several roads off Copeland were affected as the current cut across the roads and cut into the dirt roads, leaving behind small rocks and layers of sediment.

Still, flooding in the area was limited. There did not appear to be any impact on structures, and county bulldozers were clearing roads en masse.

The National Weather Service forecast more rain and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday, with a 90% chance for both days. From there, the chances will decrease through Thursday, with sunny skies continuing over the weekend. The storm affected the region for much of July and should mark a return to temperatures of 90C, which saw highs in the low 80’s for most of the week.

SKYWARN is a program that trains volunteers to keep communities safe by providing timely and accurate monsoon weather to the National Weather Service. (Video credit: Flagstaff NWS)



Reporter Adrian Skabelund can be reached by email at Adrian.Skabelund@lee.net.

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