Flash floods devastate parts of Southwest as storms threaten Election Day travel

Severe flash flooding has devastated parts of the Southwest, destroying homes, closing roads and sending rivers and creeks above major flood stage as the storm system moves toward the central United States on Election Day.

(CNN)- Severe flash flooding has devastated parts of the Southwest, destroying homes, closing roads and sending rivers and creeks above major flood stage as the storm system moves toward the central United States on Election Day.

Officials say more than 10 rivers, creeks and washes across Arizona and Colorado have exceeded major flood stage, with some waterways reaching record levels.

“We haven’t seen impacts like this in years, if ever,” one official said.

In Arizona, emergency management officials are urging residents to avoid flooded roads and obey barricades.

“We tell people that if we’ve got road closed signs and barricades across the roads, they’re there for a reason and that reason is your safety,” said Tim Carter, director of Coconino County Emergency Management.

The flooding has caused extensive damage across central Arizona, where officials say more than a dozen homes have been destroyed.

Camp Verde resident Tori Talkington described how quickly the floodwaters arrived.

“I mean it was just so fast. Like you don’t even really have time to think really,” Talkington said. “It’s just something that you know is possible, but then to see it’s like terrifying.”

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has declared a statewide emergency to support recovery efforts, including clearing damaged roads and assisting affected families.

In Flagstaff, residents reported dangerous flooding that made some streets impassable.

“We were like up to our knees up here having to step out and off to the streets so it was completely inaccessible and it was pretty crazy,” resident Duncan Suhr said.

The storm system is now weakening as it moves toward the central United States, but forecasters expect it to bring additional weather impacts to Iowa, Kansas, eastern Texas and northern Michigan on Election Day.

The timing could create challenges for voters traveling to polling locations.

Previous studies have suggested that inclement weather can reduce voter turnout, while sunny conditions may encourage participation.

Officials continue to urge residents in affected communities to monitor local weather alerts and avoid driving through flooded roadways as recovery efforts continue.