Duncan being evacuated due to Gila River flooding

Photo By Stan Ellis/Dynamicpointdrone: The Gila River has crested in Duncan and has spilled out into the town., prompting flooding evacuations.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

DUNCAN – The Duncan Valley Rural Fire Department issued an update Monday morning advising a mass evacuation of flood-prone areas in Duncan was underway. School has been canceled for the day for the Duncan School District, according to a post from Duncan Elementary.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the Gila River was measured at 22.54 feet at Duncan at 5:30 a.m. on Monday. According to the USGS graph, the actionable stage is 16 feet, followed by a minor flood stage at 20 feet, moderate at 21 feet, and a major flood stage at 21 feet. 

Photo By Amy Evans: Gila River flooding in Duncan.

According to the fire department, all areas lower than High Street and the Chaparral store need to evacuate. The areas include East Avenue, 4th below the highway, 3rd below the highway, Ash Street, Acacia Street, Pecan Street, Main Street, Madison Street, Hobbs Street, Philpott Avenue, Harwell Street, Stadium Street, Wilson Street, Tyler Lane, Cottonwood Street, Church Street, Gale Avenue, and West end by the car wash.

Water began to spill over the banks of the Gila River into portions of Duncan as early as 4:30 a.m., according to the fire department. 

The Greenlee County Fairgrounds is open and available as an evacuation center. Those who need to move livestock can use the corrals at the fairgrounds. The Duncan High School is also open to evacuees.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Pima area as well.

Photo By Stan Ellis/Dynamicpointdrone: An aerial shot of the Gila River in Duncan on Monday morning.

San Francisco River warning?

According to the town of Clifton, the San Francisco River crested Monday morning at about 13.5 feet. The town advised they believed water levels were on the decline, with no high water events being anticipated from the San Francisco River at this time. The flood stage for the San Francisco River is 24 feet.

Amy Evans: Gila River flooding in Duncan on Monday morning.