Flood guide · Oak Creek and Verde Valley flooding, November 1, 2026
Sedona and Verde Valley Flood Damage: What to Do in the First 72 Hours
Flash flooding on Oak Creek and Beaver Creek on November 1, 2026 forced evacuations from Sedona to Camp Verde, and Sedona Fire said crews pulled about 40 people to safety. A homeowners policy doesn't pay for flood water, but if you don't have a separate flood policy there is still help. Here's what to do in the first few days.
Flood at a glance
Sunday, Nov 1, 2026
Where
- Sedona
- Cornville
- Camp Verde
- Cottonwood
Official updates
Governor Katie Hobbs
State of emergency, $200,000 in funding
City of Sedona
Most evacuated areas reopened Nov 2
ADOT
SR 89A closed through Oak Creek Canyon
First call for insurance help
602-364-2499
Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions
No flood policy? What can still help
Insurance you may already have
- Your homeowners policy, for a tree on the house, a burst pipe, a fire or storm damage to the roof
- Your car insurance, if you carry comprehensive cover, for a flooded car
- A flood policy you didn't know about, if your lender required one
Help beyond insurance
- FEMA grants, if a federal declaration includes Individual Assistance for your county
- Low-interest SBA disaster loans for uninsured losses
- A possible tax deduction for uninsured losses
- Your mortgage lender, if payments will be hard
Have a flood policy? Open that claim now. Your flood insurer needs a signed, sworn proof of loss within 60 days of the flood.
5 first steps after the flood
- 1Wait for the all-clearGo home only when local officials lift your evacuation order. Floodwater can carry sewage, debris and live current.
- 2Photograph everything, insured or notThe water line, every room, each damaged item, the driveway and your car. FEMA, SBA loans and tax relief all ask for proof of what you lost.
- 3Find every policy you holdCheck your homeowners declarations page and your mortgage papers for a flood policy, and your car policy for comprehensive cover.
- 4Call your mortgage lenderAsk about pausing or lowering payments. A lender can also note the disaster on your credit report.
- 5Watch for a federal declarationArizona's emergency declaration is a state one, and as of November 3 there's no federal declaration. If FEMA later approves Individual Assistance for Yavapai or Coconino County, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or 800-621-3362.
Local help right now
Conditions are changing day to day, so check these before you travel or go home.
Roads
SR 89A is closed through Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Kachina Village, with no reopening date. SR 179 and the Cornville Road bridge at Windmill Park were also closed after the flood. Check az511.com before you drive.
Evacuation orders
Sedona posts its zones at sedonaaz.gov/evacmap. Go orders in parts of Cornville and Cottonwood were still in place on Nov 2. For updates there, Camp Verde and Rimrock, call the Yavapai County Sheriff at 928-771-3260. Coconino County's line is 928-679-8525.
Shelters
Shelters opened at the Camp Verde town gym, 51 E. Hollamon St., and the American Legion in Cottonwood, 480 S. Calvary Way. Call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to check what's still open.
Well and creek water
Don't assume private well water is safe to drink after a flood. Use bottled water until it's tested. Sewage spilled into Oak Creek in Sedona during the flood, so keep children and pets out of the creek.
Help beyond insurance
Flood damage usually isn't covered by homeowners insurance, so for most families these are the main routes.
FEMA grants
Only if a federal disaster declaration includes Individual Assistance. FEMA then helps with costs insurance doesn't cover, and can't pay for what your insurance does.
SBA disaster loans
Low-interest loans of up to $500,000 for home repairs and $100,000 for belongings, for homeowners and renters. SBA can offer them after a federal declaration, or on its own if the governor asks and enough homes in a county are badly damaged.
Tax relief
Uninsured losses can be deductible on your federal return after a federally declared disaster. A 2025 tax law extends this to some state-declared disasters from 2026, so ask a tax preparer. You subtract $100 per event, then 10% of your income. Keep your photos and receipts.
Your mortgage
If payments will be hard, call your lender and ask about forbearance or a loan change before you miss one.
Your first 72 hours
Tick things off as you go. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.
Hours 0 to 24
Stay safe, record the water
Hours 24 to 48
Make the calls
Hours 48 to 72
Dry out and document
Never drive onto a flooded road or into a running wash. Two men were found dead in Flagstaff after floodwater swept through the city the same weekend.
What your homeowners policy still covers
A standard HO-3 homeowners policy excludes flood water. It also excludes earth movement, which includes sinkholes and mudflow, so a washed-out driveway or a sinkhole usually isn't covered either. Other damage from the same storm is a separate question.
Example only · one storm, three kinds of damage
| Creek water through the ground floor | Flood policy only |
| Tree through the roof in the same storm | Homeowners, after the deductible |
| Car flooded in the driveway | Auto comprehensive |
A fire caused by the flood is still covered under a standard homeowners form.
75%
of homeowners aren't very confident they'd know whether damage is covered.
Insuranceopedia Homeowner Claims Survey 2026 · 700 US homeownersNot sure which damage counts? Our flood damage claims guide explains what homeowners insurance covers and what it doesn't.
Was it only the flood?
If the roof, a tree or a pipe played a part, see what your homeowners policy may cover before you file.
If you have a flood policy
What it pays
On a federal NFIP policy, the structure up to $250,000 and belongings up to $100,000 if you bought contents cover. Not hotel bills or rent while you're out.
Basements
Cover is limited to set items such as the furnace, sump pump, washer and dryer.
An advance
After major floods, NFIP insurers can pay up to $5,000 before an adjuster visits, and up to $20,000 with documents.
Proof of loss
Send a signed, sworn proof of loss within 60 days of the flood, even if the adjuster hasn't sent you the form.
Arizona deadlines and who to call
Keep a record of every date, call and letter.
Expert view
Max Coupland
CEO, Insuranceopedia
Many people hit by this flood won't have flood insurance, and that isn't the end of it. Photograph everything now, because FEMA, the SBA and the IRS all ask for proof.
“If a tree came through the roof or a pipe burst, that's a homeowners claim, separate from the flood.”
For reporters: Max is available for interviews on Sedona and Verde Valley flood recovery and insurance. contact@insuranceopedia.com
Related claim guides
General information for Arizona homeowners, not advice on your specific claim. Always check your own policy.
Insuranceopedia is not affiliated with any insurance company. This article is general information, not legal or coverage advice. Always check your own policy and, for a specific dispute, consult a licensed professional.
Sources
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About Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips is a former California-licensed insurance agent (license #0C27547) with over 15 years helping clients plan their finances. He holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College, a BA from the State University of New York, and Series 6, 7, 26, 63, and 65 securities licenses, and has held life, health, disability, and property/casualty insurance licenses.
He has written hundreds of insurance and investment articles and published two financial books. You can verify Bob’s license history (#0C27547) at the California Department of Insurance.