65 Campers Stranded in Arizona Flood After Road Washes Away

Dozens of terrified campers are now stranded in Arizona mountains after floodwaters swallowed the only road leading out. About 65 people sit trapped while powerful currents drag trees and debris downstream. The chaos happened at Cave Springs Campground, roughly 30 minutes north of Sedona. Heavy rain forced Oak Creek to surge over its banks. That turned a scenic mountain retreat into a deadly flood zone overnight. Visitors who expected peace found themselves cut off from civilization. Fast-moving water blocked the only exit. A growing pile of fallen trees made escape impossible. Emergency vehicles could not reach those stuck on the opposite bank.

Authorities confirmed 65 people remain inside the campground. Officials work to get food supplies in while waiting for water levels to drop. Steve Branch, a visitor from Denver, arrived the night before just to spend one sleepless night. He woke up to find his departure impossible. Dozens of campers are left stranded after raging floodwaters destroyed the bridge connecting their site to the outside world. Raging waters engulfed the sole exit at Cave Springs Campground near Sedona. Fallen trees and debris blocked every escape route.

'Well, it looks like we can't get back across to where your side is,' Branch told Fox 10 Phoenix during a phone call made across the flooded creek. 'We came in about five o'clock last night and everything was fine,' he said. 'We were leaving this morning.' Overnight rainfall changed everything. The bridge sat submerged beneath rushing water and tangled debris. 'It looks to me like we've got a couple of trees that have gotten stuck on the bridge and there's not much way across that bridge,' Branch explained. The blockage created a dangerous situation as branches piled against the crossing and obstructed flow. Footage showed muddy water racing across the access route with logs trapped around the structure. Campers on one side had little choice but to wait. Even longtime workers were stunned by the speed of the flooding.

Campers stand helplessly on the opposite bank of Oak Creek as currents prevent them from leaving following heavy rain. One person can be seen calling for help. Yellow caution tape blocks access to the submerged crossing where rushing water and a tangled mass of fallen trees have cut off the only route out. Seasonal worker Edgar Cano has spent years around the campground. He said he had never seen conditions like those confronting visitors before. 'I pulled up to the bridge where we exit, and the water is running like I've never seen it in 25 years,' Cano told the station. The rising water and debris turned the bridge into an impassable barrier immediately. Branches and wood stuck at our bridge create somewhat of a dam there, he explained.

High water levels have cut off access across Oak Creek, trapping visitors on one side of the scenic canyon. Kayakers faced immediate danger as conditions worsened rapidly. Thomas Herring was out on the water when he saw the current surge with dangerous force. He watched wood tumble through the channel and realized things were going wrong fast. 'We're just down here kayaking,' Herring said. 'The river came up very quickly. A lot of wood moving around. Things quickly got dangerous, so we decided to take out for the day.'

Justin Gallen noted that while the flood stage was not at its absolute peak, the water still moved massive amounts of debris. It is not like super high flood stage, but it's high enough to move a lot of debris around, he explained. The situation unfolded in Arizona's beautiful mountain destination where tourists flock to Oak Creek for cool relief from desert heat. Cave Springs Campground sits north of Sedona along the creek and serves as a popular getaway for those escaping the sun. However, that same narrow geography becomes hazardous when rain sends water rushing through the landscape.

Authorities moved quickly to help stranded campers. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office confirmed it had established contact with the campground host and was monitoring the situation closely. Officials said they were coordinating with several agencies to arrange a food drop for those stuck behind the flooded crossing. The operation was intended to ensure campers had access to supplies while the water remained too high for vehicles to safely use the bridge. There were no reports of anyone being injured.