On September 25, 2025, Gila County, Arizona, was battered by a sudden deluge of heavy thunderstorms, unleashing flash floods that swept through the Globe-Miami area and left a trail of destruction in their wake. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storms dumped between 25 and 65 millimeters (1–2.5 inches) of rain across the region in just a few hours, with localized reports indicating more than 50 millimeters (2 inches) falling southeast of Globe near Highway 70. The result: roads transformed into raging rivers, vehicles stranded or swept away, and homes and businesses inundated by floodwaters.
Residents and authorities alike were caught off guard by the intensity of the storms. Videos shared by locals and broadcast by AZFamily depicted downtown Miami’s streets submerged under torrents of muddy water, with cars bobbing helplessly and pickup trucks attempting to forge through several inches of water. Some vehicles parked near the Civit Training Center were reportedly moved as far as 9 meters (30 feet) by the sheer force of the floodwaters, a testament to the power of the sudden runoff.
“It was hard to believe,” said Bill Clemmens, owner of the Wild Horses Saloon in Miami, who received a call that his entire wall had been blown off during the storm. “But then I looked, and I saw what had happened, that it had just come loose from the concrete, and it fell over.” His experience was echoed by others throughout the area, with reports of a building’s roof being blown off and thick mud blanketing West Sullivan Street. Residents told Fox 10 that water rose to car bumpers, and many described this as the worst flooding Miami had seen in at least four years.
The flooding was not limited to private property. Public infrastructure took a significant hit as well. The Walmart in Claypool was forced to close temporarily after water flooded the building and made access roads impassable. Meanwhile, a critical 6-kilometer (4-mile) stretch of U.S. 60 running through Miami was completely shut down, stranding travelers and cutting off a key transportation artery. By late afternoon, authorities managed to reopen one lane between milepost 243 (just south of Turner Street) and milepost 247 (near Russell Road), but the disruption was keenly felt by the community.
The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning earlier in the day after lightning and strong showers were detected over Tonto National Monument. That warning expired at 5 p.m. local time, but the danger was far from over. A Flash Flood Warning remained in effect for more than an hour in Globe, and a broader Flood Watch was announced for September 26, covering much of central and southeastern Arizona. The NWS warned that showers and thunderstorms would develop across south-central Arizona and into the Phoenix Metro area early Friday afternoon, with additional rainfall of up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) possible.
Emergency services sprang into action, monitoring debris flows and blocked roads, and urging residents to avoid nonessential travel. The risks of attempting low-water crossings were stressed repeatedly, with authorities reminding the public that even a modest flow of water can sweep away vehicles. “Rain chances across the region will increase on September 26. Showers and thunderstorms will develop across portions of south-central Arizona and into the Phoenix Metro early afternoon, capable of producing heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding,” the NWS cautioned. The Flood Watch was set to remain in effect from 8 a.m. through the evening, as saturated soils and ongoing runoff were expected to sustain the flood risk through the weekend.
For many in the Globe-Miami-Claypool corridor, the events of September 25 were a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to flash flooding. While residents are no strangers to monsoon storms and seasonal downpours, this particular episode stood out for its severity and the speed with which conditions deteriorated. “We’ve seen flooding before in Miami, but this was likely the worst in at least four years,” one local shared with reporters.
Photos and videos circulating on social media painted a picture of chaos: submerged cars, water rushing down main streets, and business owners surveying the damage to their livelihoods. The Arizona’s Family First Alert Weather team, which closely tracked the storm’s progress, noted that the potential for flash flooding remained high in southeastern Arizona, with a flash flood watch extending through Saturday, September 27. Updated road conditions were made available on the First Alert Traffic map, as authorities worked to keep the public informed and safe.
As the floodwaters began to recede late Thursday, attention turned to cleanup and recovery. Mud and debris covered roads and properties, and emergency crews worked to clear blocked routes and assess structural damage. For some, like the owner of the Wild Horses Saloon, the process of rebuilding would be daunting. For others, the focus was on restoring normalcy as quickly as possible, with businesses like Walmart in Claypool aiming to reopen their doors once conditions allowed.
Despite the challenges, the community’s resilience was on full display. Neighbors helped one another clear mud from driveways and salvage belongings from waterlogged homes. Local officials coordinated with state agencies to provide resources and support to those displaced by the flooding. And as forecasts warned of more rain on the horizon, residents braced for the possibility of additional storms, hoping that the worst had already passed.
The National Weather Service and local authorities continued to urge caution, advising people to remain alert to future warnings and to avoid flooded areas whenever possible. With saturated ground and lingering runoff, even modest rainfall could trigger renewed flooding in vulnerable spots. The events of September 25, 2025, served as a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictability—and the importance of preparedness in the face of extreme weather.
As Gila County looks ahead to the coming days, the scars left by the flash floods are a testament to both the destructive power of sudden storms and the determination of a community to weather whatever comes its way.
