Rising Gila River water closed two Graham County crossings on Monday: Sanchez Road in Solomon and Bryce/Eden Road near Pima. At the Eden-Bryce crossing, a car became stranded in moving water, and its driver, Robert Robinson, was later cited for failing to obey a traffic control device.
The closures affected crossings in both eastern and western Graham County. Public safety authorities and county highway crews monitored river levels through the night as runoff spilled across low-lying bridge approaches, according to The Gila Herald.
Car Found Floating With Water Past the Hood
The sheriff's report, as cited by The Gila Herald, says authorities were dispatched at approximately 0731 hours on Monday for a welfare check along Eden-Bryce Road, just east of Eden Bridge. A caller reported a car in the floodwater with people trapped inside, prompting search-and-rescue units and local law enforcement to respond.
Responders found the vehicle in roughly 500 feet of moving water, with the water above its hood. Robinson was the sole occupant; he exited and waded to safety on the east side, according to the report.
Investigators Say Driver Admitted the Mistake
Investigators said Robinson had driven past several warnings on Eden-Bryce Road, including a road-closed sign, a do-not-enter-when-flooded sign and a dip sign. According to the report, Robinson told authorities he saw the signs and acknowledged that driving into the water was a mistake.
The report also recounts another motorist's statement that Robinson passed her at high speed on U.S. Highway 70 before they both turned onto Eden-Bryce Road. Robinson told authorities he had been traveling at 75 mph on the highway when the other motorist pulled out in front of him, causing him to slow quickly. Deputies issued him a civil traffic citation for failure to obey a traffic control device. His vehicle remained in the water until levels receded enough for recovery.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-644, drivers are required to obey the instructions of an official traffic control device placed in accordance with the law, a legal backdrop that frames the citation Robinson received.
Sanchez Road Closure Cuts Off Rural Access
Water also flowed over the approach to Solomon Bridge on Sanchez Road, prompting county officials to close that crossing early in the response effort. The closure affects residents and agricultural operations north of the Gila River who rely on Sanchez Road to reach U.S. Highway 70, according to the same report.
Flooding has been a recurring problem along these crossings in recent weeks. The Eden Bridge was reported flooded at approximately 7:08 a.m. on October 22, according to a Graham County Sheriff's Office incident report published by Gila Valley Central. That same day, water pumped from private property onto East San Jose Road created a driving hazard, Larson Lane was reported approximately 90% washed out, and a caller reported that Stockton Wash near Stockton Road and Wells Road was running high and moving quickly.
The Eastern Arizona Courier separately reported closures at Solomon Bridge and flooding at the Eden crossing, per the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Gila Herald has also reported that the Pima Bridge at Main Street reopened at approximately 9:45 a.m. Thursday, while the Eden Bridge and Fort Thomas Bridge remained closed as of the following Friday, when floodwater was still roughly three feet deep across the road.
Conflicting River Forecasts
River-level estimates for the Gila River near Solomon have varied between reports. The Eastern Arizona Courier reported the river stood at 19.5 feet at 8:30 p.m. Monday, with a forecast crest of 20.7 feet against a flood stage of 21 feet. The Gila Herald, citing separate reporting, said the river rose to roughly 16 feet and was expected to crest at 19.4 feet — substantially lower than an earlier projection of 23.6 feet. A National Weather Service flood statement had earlier indicated that forecast flooding near Solomon changed from moderate to major severity and increased in duration.
The Graham County Sheriff's Office responded to 59 incidents between October 30 and November 2, according to Gila Valley Central, reflecting the broader strain the flooding has placed on local emergency responders.
Officials Repeat Warning as Crews Reassess Roads
Local law enforcement and emergency management officials have warned that river conditions can change rapidly and have urged the public to turn around, don't drown. Floodwater can conceal damage to the road beneath the surface, while moving water can sweep vehicles off the road.
Why Officials Warn Drivers to Stay Out of Floodwater
During separate statewide highway closures on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, KVOA reported that officials warned drivers never to enter flooded roads or washes, noting that a few inches of running water can sweep away a vehicle. That warning, along with local officials' cautions that floodwater can hide washed-out pavement, explains the basis for the advice to avoid crossing.
Drivers are instructed not to bypass barricades or attempt to cross moving water over the road surface. Crews will continue to assess bridge approaches and roadway integrity as water levels recede, according to the report.
