TONTO BASIN — The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the search for a hiker who was believed to have been swept away by flooding northeast of Roosevelt Lake during Saturday night’s storms.
According to the Sheriff’s office, on February 22, at approximately 11:19 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received regarding a possible drowning in Cherry Creek. Reports of flash flooding were are received.
One individual was able to hike out and get help. Deputies attempted to conduct a search and rescue operation and were unable to do so because of the flooding, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter was requested but was unable to fly due to the weather.
The Sheriff’s Office resumed search and rescue operations on Sunday February 23, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. Deputies as well as Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Swift Water Team and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter responded to the area.
Gila County Sheriff’s Office advisory: For anyone wanting to help with the search, the Gila County Sheriff’s office asks that you please check in at 9:00 a.m. and check out at 4:30 p.m. in-person at the Incident Command stationed at the Sheriff’s Office Roosevelt Sub Station located at 28449 N. Highway 188, Roosevelt, Arizona. You will need to be prepared with coordinates of your search area, adequate equipment, food and water.