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Arizona flash flood: Nine dead as deluge hits swimmers | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
At least nine people have been killed in flash floods after monsoon-like rains swept through a swimming hole in the US state of Arizona, officials say. | |
Among those who died were children, including a two-year-old. One man is still missing, local media report. | |
More than 100 people were bathing in the area when the floodwaters hit with almost no warning. | |
The flash flood occurred at Cold Springs, near Payson, on Saturday, sweeping people down East Verde River. | |
Dozens were bathing in the East Verde river in Tonto National Forest, about 90m (145km) north of Phoenix, when the floodwaters hit following a torrential downpour upstream, said Sgt David Hornung from the Gila County sheriff's office. | |
"A large family group was down by the river recreating... It's a recreation area that a lot of people come up to - and the flash flood came through and washed 14 people away from the camp," Sgt Hornung said. | |
"I've been with the Sheriff's office for 13 years and this is the most severe flooding incident we've ever seen," he added. | |
Video footage posted on social media shows muddy floodwaters gushing over rocks and through deep canyons. | |
The Payson Fire Department said that multiple forest fires in recent months had created piles of debris that burst down a creek and through the swimming hole. | The Payson Fire Department said that multiple forest fires in recent months had created piles of debris that burst down a creek and through the swimming hole. |
However, it had not been raining in the area where people were swimming. | |
At least four people were rescued from the water by helicopter crews. They were treated for hypothermia and later released from hospital. | |
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood alert for much of Arizona until Monday evening, with more storms expected in the middle of next week. | The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood alert for much of Arizona until Monday evening, with more storms expected in the middle of next week. |