Authorities and volunteers are searching for a missing 16-year-old who was swept away in a flash flood.
At 9:30 p.m. July 24, crews from the Verde Valley Fire, Cottonwood Fire and Police departments were dispatched to reports of a vehicle that was stuck in a wash, Verde Valley Fire Chief Daniel Johnson said.
The 16-year-old driver called 911 saying she was stranded in her car and that the water was up to her knees.
When authorities arrived at the intersection of Camino Real and Arrowhead Lane where the incident reportedly took place, they did not find a vehicle. With flashlights, they searched the nearby wash in the dark and were able to locate the blue sedan. During the rescue attempt, the driver was swept out of her vehicle by the water and washed downstream.
“They did see the silhouette of an individual in the vehicle when they located it, and they were working to get closer to that vehicle to try to make a rescue,” Johnson said. “By the time they were able to get into a position to try to assess the vehicle, they looked in the vehicle, the door was open and she was no longer in the vehicle.”
Out of respect for the girl’s family, her name was not released to the public initially. She has now been identified as Faith Moore, the granddaughter of recently retired Verde Valley Fire Chief Joe Moore and retired Verde Valley Ambulance Chief Kim Moore. She is also the niece of an active Cottonwood Firefighter.
“Faith and her family have strong ties to this community,” Johnson said. “They [her family] are devastated. The fact that they do have strong ties to this community and a lot of the firefighters that were on the initial rescue worked for Joe. They worked for the family. So you can understand how that’s going to have an emotional effect not only on the physical family but the fire department and public safety family because they are so entwined in this community.”
Crews from the Verde Valley Fire, Cottonwood Fire and Police departments, as well as Yavapai County Sheriffs Office deputies, Copper Canyon Fire, the Sedona Fire Department,the Arizona Department of Public Safety and volunteers from the community, have been actively searching the area by ground.
Swift water teams from YCSO, an airboat from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, a Guardian Air helicopter, the Prescott National Forest, and both YSCO and private search and rescue K9 units are now helping search the area as well. Thus far, crews have searched from the origin of the incident all the way to the Verde River.
Air searches were not an option last night due to the extreme weather conditions as well as multiple other search and rescue operations taking place. The region reportedly received 3 inches of rain in an hour following her disappearance, raising the water levels from approximately 2 feet to 8 feet.
“Last night, Verde Valley Fire was simultaneously working five other water rescues at the time of the call from this girl including a K9 officer from Cottonwood who was also washed downstream in the same wash as the 16-year-old girl,” Johnson said.
Several personal items, including a cell phone and some clothes, belonging to Moore have been located, but there has been no sign of her yet.
Due to the search as well as storms that are moving into the area, there will be road closures between Camino Real from Rocky Knolls to Arrowhead Road through the night and will likely reopen the morning of July 26, according to the Cottonwood Police Department.
Several hundred volunteers from the community came out to help in the searches. While authorities say they appreciate the help, they do not need any more volunteers at this time.
“The outpouring of support from this community has been overwhelming,” Johnson said. “At this time, we do not need additional volunteers on the scene because it’s becoming a hard thing to manage. We would also encourage volunteers to be safe because we are expecting more rain this afternoon as well as high humidity and high heat and we don’t need to make more calls out of this already tragic incident.”
Around 3 p.m. July 25, volunteers were moved out of the area to prevent any further injuries or incidents. Law enforcement officers will continue to search for Moore on the ground throughout the night and authorities anticipate amping up their search efforts again in the daylight tomorrow.
“An incoming storm has hit the Verde Valley making the search more difficult, but fire and law enforcement will carry on their work keeping the safety of first responders foremost,” a Verde Valley Fire District Facebook post reads. “Verde Valley public safety partners reminds the public to please be aware of running water in road crossings and to remain vigilant near the Verde River in light of the stormy weather.”
The Verde Valley is currently under a flash flood watch until the afternoon of July 26, according to the National Weather Service.
While heartbroken by the incident, the family of the victim remains hopeful that she will be found.
“We wanted to reach out and thank the community and all of the first responders and everyone who has worked so hard. We know [she] is out there and are not giving up, and we thank everyone for all your support,” Moore’s grandfather said at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
Moore’s grandmother echoed her husband’s sentiments.
“We want our sweet girl home. We know she’s coming home.”
Moore was last seen wearing blue shorts, a light blue shirt and white tennis shoes. Anyone who sees anything that could be related to the incident should immediately call 911 to report it.
UPDATE July 26, 9:30 a.m.: The incident command post has been moved to Mingus High School. Those wishing to volunteer should report to the command post before going out to search so police can better coordinate their efforts.
“For the safety of the volunteers and others, please do not attempt to search on your own without first speaking to command staff. And again, thank you to everyone who has given their time and their hearts to helping,” Johnson said in a Facebook update Monday morning.
Crews are continuing to search for Moore from the ground, water and air. A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter flew over the area last night and this morning. Gila County boats are searching the area where the wash meets the Verde River. YCSO, search and rescue and K9 units continue to conduct ground searches.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation of food and water to help first responders and volunteers can drop them off at Mingus High School. A Faith Moore Rescue and Support Updates page has been created on Facebook with links to a GoFundMe, Meal Train and donation needs list among other resources.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
