Authorities search for girl after floodwaters rush through communities near Flagstaff, Ariz.

Girl missing after flooding near Flagstaff, Ariz.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Authorities on Tuesday were searching for a 12-year-old girl who was swept up after heavy thunderstorms sent floodwaters rushing through a pair of subdivisions north of Flagstaff, Coconino County sheriff’s officials said.

The flooding forced dozens of residents to flee their homes.

Sheriff’s officials said the missing girl was believed to have been washed down a culvert off of U.S. 89. Search and rescue teams were looking for her, along with an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter.

The girl’s name wasn’t released.

The National Weather Service said more than 2 inches of rain fell Tuesday afternoon in areas of Flagstaff that were charred last month by a 15,000-acre wildfire.

County emergency officials sent word to 900 residents, urging them to seek higher ground. It’s not immediately known how many residents evacuated, but the sheriff’s office said a shelter was being set up at an elementary school.

Authorities shut down a portion of North U.S. 89 because of the floodwaters, and dozens of motorists waited alongside the road for the water to recede. Others gathered in parking lots nearby.

Joan Piwetz said she arrived home and heard a loud roar from the rushing water.

“It was the scariest thing to see a black, raging river,” she said.

Piwetz said she grabbed her purse and 4-year-old son, got in her truck and got out safely. She left behind the family’s ducks and chickens, doubting they had much of a chance to survive. Piwetz said she honked at other motorists along the highway to warn them to turn back.

She added that she crossed through water 3 feet deep as she drove away from the community.

The 15,000-acre wildfire was started June 20 by a campfire that was abandoned without being properly extinguished.

Piwetz said she and her husband have lived in north Flagstaff for five years and just purchased flood insurance after the wildfire. Unfortunately, the policy doesn’t take effect until next month.