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Arizona's state parks are flooding from rain and snowmelt

Northern Arizona has been pummeled with extreme rain and snow this year. Another wave of storms is sweeping through the region this week and could linger through the weekend.

Areas at elevation have seen increased snowpack this season and as a result, increased snowmelt. This excess water is backing up dammed waterways and causing SRP to release water from the state’s swollen watersheds.

All of these factors — the rain, the snowmelt, the dam releases — are causing flooding throughout Northern Arizona. Evacuations were ordered yesterday for residents near Flagstaff along low lying areas, and warnings have been issued for communities in Prescott, Sedona, Camp Verde and Payson.

Oak Creek runs through Sedona and into Red Rock State Park. The creek has been flooding its banks within the park, closing trails.

Park Ranger Sharon Maurer joined The Show to talk more about it.

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Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.