Globe-Miami residents band together after devastating flooding
The weekend of September 27 saw catastrophic historical flooding in Globe and Miami, claiming businesses and lives in the Copper Corridor.
In 2021, the Arizona towns of Globe and Miami both experienced the devastation of the Telegraph Fire, followed by flooding that made this small and previously forgotten area newsworthy. The aftermath of the fire left behind ash and damaged earth, resulting in silt and debris that contributed to the catastrophe of the flood, negatively impacting an area already economically fragile due to the grief of the pandemic a year earlier.
While Sullivan Street of downtown Miami took the brunt of it, both town governments had promised their residents mitigation infrastructure to avoid similar incidents in the future. Even though creeks, canals, and some drainage systems were set in place, they were not enough to prevent the tragedy of the weekend of September 27, 2025, which surpassed the 2021 damages.
Thursday, Sept 25, wreaked havoc on Miami
Only four years later, a massive storm resulted in a repeat of the catastrophe, this time turning downtown Sullivan Street into a river, cutting power to over 1100 homes, and taking down the front of a building in its wake.
“I had the front redone not too long ago and didn’t have a way to know that the walls weren’t attached to the concrete correctly,” Bill Clemmens commented when asked about his fallen wall. Apparently, the contractors did not use proper code when installing it.
Regardless of what caused the issue, community members and neighbors gathered around to lend a helping hand after the local mine dragged away the heavy debris using a backhoe. With shovels in hand, the bulk of the debris and mud was cleared away in the few hours of calm before the second storm of the day decided to strike.
Other neighbors and business owners were not so lucky. The local Miami Art Works discovered leaks that soaked and damaged a priceless 30-year art collection. A musician—thankfully insured—found his dozens of instruments half-soaked in a room that flooded. Homeowners shuffled wares out to higher ground to save important items and heirlooms. Even the local Walmart evacuated customers and workers in response to flooding within the store.
In general, though, residents remained calm and collected, ready to lend a hand. One newer neighbor was the face of resilience, saying, “Our roof began leaking, but at least we now know there are leaks.”
As neighbors helped each other and the local mines and county workers cleared washed-out roadways, others posed the question: Why is this happening again? Take to coverage on social media and you will see a slough of people poking fun at “wanting rain,” “loving this kind of weather,” or wondering why there hasn’t been a change since the last major flood.
Friday, Sept 26, furthered the destruction in Miami, took lives in Globe
Despite a flash flood warning, residents woke up Friday morning ready to aid recovery efforts in downtown Miami. Successfully erecting a temporary plywood wall to cover the front of the saloon, Miami locals thought the worst was over. Then the rain returned early evening, dumping 2.5 inches in the matter of 40 minutes.
This wasn’t normal rain, though, as the entire area was under an unusual tornado watch. One local even caught the formation while taking a time-lapse photo of lightning. Fortunately, the storm cell did not touch ground, but that didn’t stop it from leaving destruction in its wake.
That evening, rain poured in Globe, flooding downtown Broad Street, parts of Highway 60, and parts of unincorporated Six Shooter Canyon. The flood lifted propane tanks from Matlock Gas, new cars from the Courtesy Ford car lot, and vehicles driving down the road, as well as unhoused residents sleeping in tents.
There are currently four confirmed deaths, as well as several missing people, homes with families displaced, and many businesses with no insurance to cover loss. (Following the 2021 fire and flood, many businesses are now uninsurable.)
The heart of this storm revealed the close-knit heroism of the Globe-Miami community. One story that stands out is when a truck was teetering over the edge of the bridge, ready to be swept away by the rushing floodwater. Local business owner Nick Arndt of The Knotty Fox, who was dining at a local restaurant, heard screaming. He saw three people stranded, standing on a truck and screaming for their lives. With emergency services being so inundated, they worried no one would come to their rescue.
However, Nick ran into the water, which was over 5 feet high. In the 100 or so feet he waded to reach them, a propane tank struck the bridge and exploded, a fire hydrant released pressure and shot into the air, and he heard and felt a large pop. He grabbed the first woman from the truck, got her to safety, and headed back for another. In that time, a desk rushed into him, striking his torso and knees and causing sharp pain. He was able to rescue all three individuals from the truck despite his personal pain, but is still haunted by the screams of another woman in the water that he could not find. Her body was later found behind the local bar called The Huddle.
Nick is still actively participating in the aftermath of the flood by donating food and water to local cleanup crews, as he is unable to help physically. He suffered three cracked ribs, a gash in his hand, and torn ligaments in his knee and foot. He is fortunate to be able to walk, and regrets not having tried harder to find that woman.
During the same time, patrons of La Casita were trapped inside the restaurant as water pressure prevented the door from opening. Many were standing on the tables, trying to avoid the quickly filling water. Other community members figured out how to break the windows to relieve the pressure and remove patrons from danger and onto dry land.
As conditions worsened in Globe, water rushed down the canals into Miami, increasing pressure and flow, leading to even greater devastation on Sullivan Street than the day before. More businesses flooded, the roof of the Miami Art Works flew off, and whatever roadways were again drivable saw destruction. Water rushed through the doors of the gallery, taking with it personal belongings, unique art, and the owner’s cat.
Even with a full day of effort, downtown Miami was all hands on deck to reprieve any vehicle access for help.
Saturday, Sept 27, welcomed volunteers and another brief storm
Forest Service, local mines, workers from Maricopa County, volunteers, the Red Cross, and others arrived in town Friday night/Saturday morning after the rain had subsided and the water levels had lessened.
Roads to the hospital were cleared immediately, opening the way for heroes, such as Nick, to seek much-needed medical attention. The Red Cross opened shelters at both High Desert Middle School in Globe and Lee Karnegay Intermediate School in Miami. The Globe shelter did not have anyone in need arrive, whereas the Miami location housed a woman with her animals whose house was damaged, as well as 10+ other community members who were caught in the deadlocked traffic, where water levels moved vehicles, posing an imminent threat to anyone not seeking higher ground.
Saturday morning saw agencies using backhoes and other equipment to clear roadways, officials to assess damage, and an influx of volunteers. The Globe Chamber of Commerce was— nd still is—acting as a volunteer hub, directing individuals and businesses to the most needed areas at any given time. Saturday morning also saw a city council meeting, where Globe and Miami were officially declared in a state of emergency, backed by Katie Hobbs.
At around 2:30 p.m., rain began to fall once more, but it stopped within the hour, leaving only mud and anxiety behind. People began organizing throughout the night, and on Sunday, locals gathered with shovels, mops, trash bags, and more, clearing out damaged buildings, while volunteers collected donations and found other ways to help displaced families. Officials were finally beginning to retrieve propane tanks and vehicles from creek beds and the sides of the roads.
Wherever where you looked, people were there, actively helping with cleanup. This is the only way that small towns can survive such a major tragedy.
The aftermath
Globe and Miami are home to involved citizens who care about their fellow neighbors and community, as evidenced by acts of heroism, goodwill, and community cleanup efforts. This area is not one of great wealth, with a median household income that is far less than that of Arizona as a whole. Yet, people are still giving all that they can. The declared state of emergency is leaving these individuals hoping that federal grants and funding will help with further flood mitigation infrastructure, an expense that taxes from the area alone cannot cover.
Downtown Globe is still without power and water, businesses require heavy repairs, and debris and mud have kept Broad Street closed to the general public. Downtown Miami saw destruction that will likely leave multiple businesses shut down for the better part of the year, if not longer. It is with donations and active help from Arizonans that these off-the-beaten-path towns can stand a chance of survival.
How to help
Here are the best ways to help the recovery efforts:
- Call the Globe Chamber of Commerce for guidance if you wish to actively participate; this is an excellent option for businesses that can help rebuild or for individuals who can help with the cleanup.
- Donate directly to Redcross.org to support emergency shelters and other campaigns.
- Donate goods, including pet food, to the High Desert Humane Society of Globe.
- Donate to Arizona Silver Belt’s GoFundMe to pay for the funeral expenses of Heather Johnson, one of the flood’s casualties.
- Donate to Miami Art Commission’s GoFundMe, a nonprofit that needs immense help to rebuild not only the several Sullivan Street businesses, including the Lyric Soda Fountain, but also the housing that is provided for more than 12 individuals.
- Donate to Best Kept, a private tattoo parlor that’s running a fundraiser from Oct 2 through Oct 4. The company will tattoo flash designs for donations (all slots have been filled) and auction off future custom sessions, as well as some original artwork. 100% of donations will be distributed to local businesses affected by the flood, as well as to two individuals who lost everything. For more information, e-mail SAL at BestKeptTattoo@gmail.com.
- Book a session with Valley Alchemy, a massage and polarity therapy studio that will be raising donations on the same dates as Best Kept. Miranda, the owner and therapist, will be offering 45-minute massages for a minimum donation of $50.
- While immediate help is necessary, consider planning a trip out this way in the coming months, when things are calmer. Local businesses will need the capital that comes from people shopping, staying, and eating. This area is home to unique art, native-made goods, and some of the best burros in the state. Finding meaningful ways to spend out this way is easy and worthwhile. If you need an excuse, consider a day trip to downtown Globe for Apache Jii on October 18, for The Festival of Lights at Besh Ba Gowah in December, or explore the Cobre Valley Center for Arts. Whatever the excuse, plan a meal and shopping trip—supporting businesses in this way helps more than most realize.
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