2017 — July 16, Flash Flood, Verde River, Tonto National Forest, north of Phoenix, AZ– 10
–10 Associated Press. “Remains found likely is 10th victim of Arizona flash flood.” 7-19-2017.
— 9 ABC15 Arizona. “Payson flash flooding deaths: Who are the victims?” 7-16-2017.
Narrative Information
July 16: “Payson, Ariz. — Nine bodies were recovered over the weekend, all part of the same family, after a flash flood swept through a popular swimming home north of Payson. The family was celebrating a birthday at the Cold Springs Swimming Hole on Saturday afternoon, when meteorologists issued a Flash Flood Warning.
“A 4-foot wall of water and debris tore through the canyon, washing some of the victims several miles downstream.
“The victims were identified to ABC15 by Maggie Lopez, a stepsister of one of the nine people found dead.
“Sixty-year-old Celia Garcia and her children Maria Raya, Maribel Raya, 24, and Javier Rays,
14.
“Maria’s husband Miguel Garnica, 27, and their children Emily, 3, and Mia, 5.
“Maribel’s two-year-old daughter Erika; and Jonathan Leon, 13, the grandson of Celia. Lopez is related to Leon.
“Hector Garnica, 27, is still missing. The search will resume Monday morning.” ABC15 Arizona. “Payson flash flooding deaths: Who are the victims?” 7-16-2017.)
July 19: “Remains found Wednesday in a water- and debris-filled canyon in central Arizona are believed to be those of a missing 27-year-old man who’s the 10th and final victim of last weekend’s flash flood, authorities said. Gila County Sheriff’s officials said at a hastily called news conference that identification of the body will be subject to DNA analysis by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. But they believe the body is that of Hector Miguel Garnica and have notified his relatives.
“Last Saturday’s flash flood at a popular swimming hole along the river in the Tonto National Forest killed nine of Garnica’s extended family including his wife and three young children. Nine bodies were recovered by Sunday and the search for Garnica had been hampered since Monday by afternoon thunderstorms that suspended operations. In recent days, searches have included divers probing ponds of standing water along the river and forestry crews using saws to cut up tree limbs to allow other searchers to dig and check under rocks and deep piles of debris. Authorities said a DPS helicopter crew spotted the body on the side of the East Verde River just downstream from Shoofly Wash….
“Just four of the 14 members of the extended family gathered at the swimming hole were rescued after the flood….
“Officials have said members of the extended family who died in the flood had no warning about the approaching surge of water. There is no system currently in place to specifically warn people about the potential dangers of flash floods at the Tonto National Forest.” (Associated Press/Anita Snow and Walter Berry. “Remains found likely is 10th victim of Arizona flash flood.” ABC News, 7-19-2017.)
Sources
ABC15 Arizona. “Payson flash flooding deaths: Who are the victims?” 7-16-2017. Accessed 7-17-2017 at: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/payson/payson-flash-flooding-deaths-who-are-the-victims
Associated Press (Anita Snow and Walter Berry). “Remains found likely is 10th victim of Arizona flash flood.” ABC News, 7-19-2017. Accessed 7020-2017 at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/funeral-set-family-members-killed-flash-flood-48733296