Benson, Arizona –

A woman tragically lost her life after her vehicle was swept away during flash floods on Friday night in southeastern Arizona, as reported by local lawmakers.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team noted that the ordeal began around 9:30 PM when the woman called emergency services to say she was stranded in rising waters, with her car submerged just north of Interstate 10.

When first responders arrived, they managed to rescue a man but were unable to locate the woman at that time.

In their statement, responders emphasized the seriousness of flash floods, calling the incident a grave reminder of their dangers.

“Please avoid flooded areas and don’t try to cross,” urged the CCSO SAR. “Wait for the water to recede before traveling through flooded zones. What began as a rescue has now shifted to a recovery effort. Our hearts go out to the family and friends affected. We’re keeping them in our thoughts.”

Southwest Monsoon Season: Key Insights

This incident is part of a series of water rescues that first responders handled overnight in the region southeast of Tucson.

A meteorologist from the National Weather Service mentioned that the ongoing rainfall is typical for the monsoon season, which is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Forecasters are keeping an eye on moisture linked to former tropical storm Mario in the Eastern Pacific, as its remnants could enhance rainfall chances in the area.

Rainfall from these tropical systems is not uncommon during the latter part of the tropical cyclone season, influenced by atmospheric conditions that prevent them from moving further west.

The situation is developing as southeastern Arizona is still experiencing significant rainfall associated with the annual monsoon.

While overall precipitation levels remain below average for much of the region, parts of Arizona and neighboring New Mexico have seen persistent showers and thunderstorms.

Usually, the southwestern areas gather between 40% and 50% of their yearly rainfall during the monsoon months of June through September.

The NWS cautions drivers against attempting to cross flooded roads where water depths are uncertain.

Just six inches of swiftly moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and twelve inches can sweep away vehicles, including SUVs.

The monsoon season typically tapers off from mid to late September, paving the way for drier conditions as fall approaches, until snowfall in the mountains becomes the primary water source.