Sedona Residents Climb Rooftops as Oak Creek Floodwaters Trap Families

Approximately nine guests and two homeowners spent three hours on a rooftop in Sedona, Arizona, waiting for a helicopter to extract them from rising floodwaters. The rescue operation occurred on Sunday after heavy rains caused the Oak Creek to swell rapidly, trapping multiple residents in their homes.

The property belongs to Alexander Dale and his wife. It includes their primary residence and several short-term rental units located directly next to the creek bed. Dale stated that the family and guests climbed onto the roof because they could not find a safe exit to the street. The group waited for air support while the water levels continued to rise around the structure.

A complication arose during the rescue when the pilot questioned whether the family dog could be lifted out. The pilot noted a lack of a specific harness for the animal. Dale and his wife decided against leaving the pet behind. They retrieved three harnesses from inside the home and secured the dog to their bodies. Dale described holding the dog while being lifted, focusing on keeping the animal close during the ascent.

Other residents in the Sedona area faced similar evacuations. Cindy Wilmer, a schoolteacher living at Red Rock Crossing, left her home with minimal possessions. She reported that the water was roaring down the street, forcing her to take only her clothing, school keys, and her cat. Wilmer expressed concern about the condition of her house after the flood receded.

Fernando Leon also evacuated his home near Oak Creek. He described opening his front door to see the river inside and deciding immediately to leave. Leon noted the emotional difficulty of abandoning personal belongings due to the sudden nature of the evacuation. Officials ordered residents near the creek to leave immediately as the waters trapped people in their structures.

Governor Katie Hobbs confirmed that state air rescue crews assisted with the rooftop evacuations. State transportation crews worked to clear debris from affected areas. By Sunday afternoon, the heavy rains in the Sedona region had largely stopped. No injuries or deaths were reported immediately following the flooding event.