Forest officials warn of flooding potential on Mount Graham

SAFFORD, Ariz. – Coronado National Forest officials are warning that rainfall from monsoon storms could cause flooding on Mount Graham, a popular recreation area in southeastern Arizona.

Officials say flooding on Mount Graham could be spurred by runoff from an area where vegetation was burned off during a 2017 fire, resulting in the potential for water, soil, rocks and woody debris to move downslope swiftly and without warning.

State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail, is the only highway up the mountain, and forest officials said emergency road closures are possible if there’s flooding. They say road-clearing could take hours and that drivers should be prepared for temporary delays.

Mount Graham is near Safford and 72 miles (116 kilometres) northwest of Tucson.