Yuma, Arizona Cleanup Continues After Heavy Rains

Cleanup efforts are still in progress in Yuma following significant flooding that occurred Thursday night due to heavy rainfall.

While Phoenix faced a lighter impact from the storm, Yuma experienced severe conditions, resulting in considerable damage and strong winds. Numerous trees were uprooted, and wind gusts reached up to 60 mph, toppling fences and power poles.

“The walls have fallen,” shared resident Humbel Reyes. He and his wife set up an orange plastic barrier around their property as a precaution. According to him, the city advised them to keep the area secured.

“I’m just thankful that no one was injured, and that really is all I can say,” Reyes added.

In some neighborhoods, thunderstorms dropped nearly an inch of rain, forcing water into homes and damaging floors, furniture, and drywall. One neighbor found water reaching knee-high levels inside their house.

One family had moved their soaked belongings to their garden after the flooding. “We’re making sure there’s no mold, so we plan to cut the drywall about a foot off the ground,” mentioned Ronnie, a local resident.

Many neighbors are facing similar challenges. Some homeowners reported needing to replace carpets due to flood damage.

The Yuma Fire Department noted that calls for assistance during the storm increased significantly. Authorities reminded residents to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, as some attempted to navigate flooded areas and ended up abandoning their vehicles.

“People were trying to drive through flooded spots, got stuck, and then left their cars there,” said Francisco Leon from the Yuma Fire Station.

By Monday, utility crews were still surveying the damage amid ongoing road closures.

For Ronnie, whose possessions are now piled outside, the financial burden of repairs is evident. “This is going to come out of our pockets,” he remarked.