Peeples Valley Water Outage Response

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the town of Peeples Valley in Yavapai County experienced an unexpected water outage, leaving an estimated 400 residents without water. The Peeples Valley Fire Department contacted the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) to help deliver drinking water to the affected residents. YCOEM activated the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) to assist with coordination. YCOEM and the COAD worked with Manzanita Outreach and arranged the delivery of ten pallets of drinking water to the distribution site at Model Creek School in Yarnell, Arizona that afternoon.

Repairs to the water line were completed sooner than expected, and residents of Peeples Valley had water back in their homes the same day. The bottled water provided by Manzanita Outreach was distributed by the Peeples Valley Wildland Fire Division. The leftover water was then given to nearby fire departments, the Yarnell Food Bank, Yarnell Community Center, the local American Legion, and Model Creek Elementary School. These agencies will store the extra water for future emergencies.

YCOEM would like to highlight the exceptional efforts and timely response by the Yavapai County COAD and Manzanita Outreach. Their dedication and commitment to our community is invaluable.

Heather Vinson, Secretary of the COAD, stated, “Yavapai County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (YCCOAD) is a fantastic resource for our community, providing quick and organized responses during emergencies. The YCCOAD formed to improve awareness of the needs within our community and connect the capabilities of community partners with those needs during all stages of an emergency. It is crucial to understand and maintain our community resources and relationships before an emergency strikes so that we are ready to support one another when it matters most.” 

For more information about the Yavapai County Coad, visit www.YavapaiReady.gov/COAD.

Crises like these can happen at any time. YCOEM would like to remind everyone of the importance of being prepared for any disaster or hazard that could threaten your community. YCOEM encourages everyone to have a supply of essential items like bottled water, non-perishable food, and emergency kits. Being prepared helps ensure the safety and well-being of yourself, your family, pets, and barn animals in any emergency.