A trough of low pressure moving eastward across California brought a plume of deep moisture to Arizona as well. The synoptic-scale ascent from the trough combined with the moisture allowed for periods of heavy rain over Arizona March 15 and 16.  Surface dewpoints were similar to summer time...in the 40s and 50s. The heavy rainfall, high snow levels, and deep snow pack combined to produce rapid snow melt and significant runoff into area waterways.

Flood in YAVAPAI, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 11:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: OAK CREEK CANYON ARP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Extensive flooding was reported along Dry Beaver Creek across Kimberlys Way (150 feet wide). The river gauge upstream reported a 4 foot rise. The creek crested around midnight on March 16 at about 4.5 feet above the creek bed.

Flood in YAVAPAI, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: (PRC)PRESCOTT ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Granite Creek Gauge showed water rising from 6.00 feet around 400 AM MST March 15 to a crest of 8.00 feet at midnight on March 16.

Flood in YAVAPAI, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: BEAVER CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The West Clear Creek gauge near Camp Verde showed a 5-foot rise from 2.8 feet at noon on March 15 to a crest of 8.1 feet by 100 AM March 16. The water level returned to 2.8 feet by 9 AM on March 17.

Flood in YAVAPAI, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 10:00:00 to 18-MAR-23 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SYCAMORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Verde River Gauge near Clarkdale started raising rapidly around 1000 AM March 15 from around 8.00 feet to a crest of around 15.8 feet by 1100 PM MST on March 15. The Verde River dropped back to around 8.0 feet by 900 AM on March 18.  The Verde River in Camp Verde started to rise rapidly around 500 PM on March 15 from 11.8 feet. The crest was at 20.8 feet at 300 March 16 and the river returned to 11.8 feet by 900 PM on March 19.  The Verde River below Tangle Creek began to rise rapidly around 500 PM from 12.0 feet.  The crest was around 700 PM at 20.3 feet and slowly fell back to 12.0 feet by 400 PM by 400 PM March 19.
Homes were flooded along Bates Drive in Cottonwood.

Flood in YAVAPAI, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 11:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: BEAVER CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Wet Beaver Creek gauge near Rimrock rose from 5.5 feet at 1000 AM MST on March 15 to 9.4 feet at 400 PM. The creek dropped back to 5.5 feet by noon on March 17. A local newspaper reported that areas along Wet Beaver Creek were evacuated.  This included Rimrock near Lake Montezuma and people along Beaver Vista Drive and Rimrock Drive.  An overnight shelter was set up at Camp Verde Middle School.

Flood in COCONINO, ARIZONA
From 15-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MUNDS PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Oak Creek began flooding in Oak Creek Canyon around 700 AM on March 15.  The road was closed near Orchard Canyon Lodge and Banjo Bill Campground. There was 3 feet of water above the road at a stage of 5.22 feet at the Sedona gauge. Cooper Cliffs Road was closed by 1100 AM MST due to the flooding. Doodlebug and New Castle Lane were close at around 200 AM on March 16. The creek remained above this level for just over 3 days. The peak flow as about 10.5 feet at 800 AM MST on March 16.
The Oak Creek gauge near Cornville (OACA3) showed more than a 7.5-foot rise from             5.2 feet at 1PM March 15 to a crest of 12.76 feet at 115 AM on March 16. The gauge dropped back to around 5.2 feet by 1000 AM March 17.
The Sedona Police Department reported that evacuations were made along Oak Creek from the evening of March 15 through the morning of March 16.  The locations that were evacuated include Rancho Sedona RV Park,  Trails End Road, Trails End Lane, Blackhawk Lane, Newcastle Lane, Oak Creek Mobilelodge,  Sycamore Road, The Center of the New Age, and the Villas at Poco Diablo Resort.
A rock slide closed Highway 89 through the upper part of Oak Creek Canyon (switchbacks) about 3 miles north of Slide Rock State Park around 323 PM on March 16.