After the Flood: Standing With Our Verde Valley Neighbors

First responders made dozens of rescues across Yavapai County that day. In Camp Verde alone, more than 350 homes were affected, and the number climbs close to 600 across the surrounding fire district. Some families lost their homes entirely. Others lost vehicles, belongings, horses, pets and the keepsakes that made a house feel like theirs. In Flagstaff, the storm took lives, and our hearts are with those families.

We live and work here too. Our Cottonwood office sits right in the middle of the communities hit hardest, and many of us have friends, neighbors and family who are cleaning up mud right now. This post is our way of sharing what we know: how to help, and where to start if the flood reached your door.

If you want to help

The best help right now is the kind that lets families choose what they need. Relief groups across the region keep saying the same thing: gift cards and financial donations go further than bags of used clothing, which volunteers then have to sort and wash.

Grocery and gas gift cards are at the top of nearly every list. So are new items people grabbed none of on the way out the door, like socks, underwear, toothbrushes, deodorant, blankets and towels. Warm clothing and children's clothes and shoes are needed as the nights get colder. If you want to do something special for a child, a small backpack with a stuffed animal, a blanket and a coloring book can bring a little normal back to a very abnormal week.

Animals need help too. Many families along the river are caring for horses and livestock that lost pasture, fencing and feed. Hay, grain and feed store gift cards are a real gift, but check with the owner or a local rescue before you buy so supplies land where they are needed. The Verde Valley Fairgrounds has been offering free camping, hookups and farm animal lodging for displaced residents.

Several local spots have stepped up as donation hubs. Ruby Road Vintage in Camp Verde set up tables of clothing, food and essentials for displaced neighbors, and churches throughout Camp Verde are accepting and distributing donations. In Cottonwood, Old Town Mission expects a growing need for food, clothing and holiday food boxes in the weeks ahead. The Old Corral in Cornville is collecting food and clothes, and House of Ruth is offering free baby items like diapers and wipes. The American Red Cross is also responding across the region.

Before you load up the car, call ahead or check a hub's social media to confirm what they are taking. Needs change daily, and a quick check keeps good intentions from turning into a pile of things no one can use.

And please don't underestimate the small things. A meal dropped on a porch, an afternoon of hauling wet drywall once a home is cleared as safe, or a handwritten note can carry someone through a hard week. Recovery from something like this takes months, and the people who keep showing up after the news crews leave make the biggest difference.

If your home or business was damaged

First, take care of yourself and your family. Stay out of buildings until officials say they are safe, and keep away from standing water, which can hide downed power lines, sharp debris and sewage. Some areas along Oak Creek saw sewage spills during the flood, so wear gloves and boots during cleanup.

When it is safe, start documenting everything before you clean. Take photos and video of every room, the waterline on the walls, damaged belongings, appliances and vehicles. Write down what was lost while it is fresh in your mind. If you have to throw something out for health reasons, photograph it first. Keep every receipt, from hotel stays and meals to fans, tarps and cleaning supplies.

Next, call your insurance company or your advisor to start a claim, even if you are not sure what is covered. It is far better to ask the question early than to miss a deadline.

Here is the hard truth many families are learning this week. Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage from rising floodwater. That coverage comes from a separate flood insurance policy, and even then, the building and your belongings are often covered separately. If you do have flood insurance, act quickly. These policies typically require a signed statement of your losses within 60 days, which puts the deadline for a November 1 flood at December 31.

That doesn't mean you are out of options without flood coverage. Damage to cars and trucks is often covered by the comprehensive portion of an auto policy. Some homeowners policies also respond to certain types of water or wind damage that happened alongside the flood. Renters and businesses should check their policies too, since the answers vary. Every situation is different, which is exactly why a conversation is worth having.

State and local help is also starting to move. The City of Sedona declared a local emergency on November 2, and Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency that released initial relief funds. Sedona is also speeding up permits for demolition and repair of flood damaged homes and businesses. Watch your city and county websites for updates on assistance and debris removal. If you run into trouble with a claim, the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions offers consumer help at 602-364-2499.

One last caution. After every disaster, people show up promising fast repairs for cash up front. Before you hire anyone, ask for references, get the details in writing and confirm the contractor is licensed with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

Flood resources at a glance

Needs change daily, so call ahead or check social media before you drop anything off.

Where to donate or find help

Official updates and recovery information

We're here, as neighbors first

Whether or not you are one of our clients, if you have questions about what your policy covers or how to start a claim, call us. We are happy to walk through it with you, no strings attached. Sometimes the most helpful thing is simply having someone explain what comes next.

The Verde Valley has always been a place where neighbors look out for each other. We have watched that happen all week, from the volunteers in the Jeep Posse to the shop owners handing out socks and jackets. We are proud to be part of this community, and we will be here for the long recovery ahead.