Dramatic photos and video from Arizona showed a sheriff’s helicopter lifting two people to safety after their vehicle became trapped by floodwaters during intense rainfall.
The water rescue took place Wednesday on State Route 238, roughly 20 miles west of Maricopa. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle’s two occupants, both in their 80s, were stranded as flooding swept across the roadway, according to AZ Family.
Sharing footage of the helicopter reaching the scene, the Sheriff’s Office used the rescue to stress the potentially fatal risk of driving into high water. “Reminder, crossing flooded roadways can have dangerous and many times deadly outcomes,” the agency wrote on Facebook. “MCSO urges the public to be aware of monsoon storms, stay up to date with weather alerts and avoid flooded areas.”
The Goodyear Fire Department advised motorists to stay off State Route 238 on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, as floodwaters covered parts of the road. (Goodyear Fire Department)
An image issued by the Sheriff’s Office showed a responder standing atop the flooded vehicle, while additional photos from the Goodyear Fire Department captured the two occupants after they were safely rescued.
“Flooding can change road conditions quickly. Avoid SR 238, and if you come across water covering any roadway, don’t risk it,” the Goodyear Fire Department warned.
Two people were rescued from a car surrounded by floodwaters outside Maricopa, Arizona, on Wednesday as heavy rain moved through the area. (Goodyear Fire Department)
“Don’t try to drive through. Turn around and find another way,” the department added.
The Arizona helicopter rescue unfolded while heavy rain and flooding affected communities throughout the Southwest, according to FOX Weather.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office cautioned that attempting to cross flooded roads can lead to dangerous and, in many cases, deadly consequences. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
“These situations happened extremely quick and are very dangerous. Our pilots and crew have experience with these situations but are still extremely dangerous and difficult,” the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement obtained by FOX Weather.