Arizona Floods: Hobbs Declares State of Emergency

Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 2, 2026. Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statewide emergency declaration on Sunday, Nov. 2, in response to the damage caused by intense thunderstorms, high winds, and flash flooding over the weekend. The move formally recognizes the disaster status of the state and activates specific financial mechanisms for local governments.

The declaration immediately unlocks $200,000 in emergency funding for local communities. This money is intended to assist authorities in clearing roads, repairing damaged infrastructure, and supporting residents who have been displaced from their homes. Hobbs stated that the primary goal of the order is to ensure local emergency managers have the necessary resources to begin the recovery process without delay.

The weekend weather events hit hard across various parts of the state. In Sedona, flooding forced some residents to evacuate their homes. City officials urged the public to exercise caution, warning that Oak Creek was rising quickly. A post on the city's Facebook page advised drivers not to cross roads with running water, highlighting the risk of sudden flooding near drain channels.

Heavy rain also prompted evacuations in the Camp Verde area. Local officials reported that the volume of water on the ground made certain streets impassable and unsafe for vehicles. These events contributed to the decision to declare a state of emergency rather than handling the cleanup at the local level alone.

Hobbs emphasized that the safety of every Arizonan is her top priority. She noted that the administration will continue working directly with local emergency managers to rebuild and recover from the disaster. The governor’s statement confirmed that the emergency declaration is a tool to streamline the flow of aid and support to the hardest-hit communities.