GILA BEND, Ariz. — At least two people died and a state of emergency was declared in the Gila Bend area of Arizona after heavy rains caused flooding late Friday and early Saturday, authorities said.

>> Read more trending news

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, a woman in her 50s was swept down the Gila River bottom, KTVK reported. The second victim was in a vehicle when floodwaters swept it away, the television station reported.

The vehicle was found upside, the sheriff’s office said.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Gila Bend is a small town about 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, KNXV reported.

Mayor Chris Riggs issued a state of emergency on Gila Bend’s Facebook page just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Several hours later, Jack Sellers, the chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, declared an emergency for the county, KTVK reported.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Monica Bretado told KSAZ that “several rescues and ongoing evacuations” were being conducted.

©2021 Cox Media Group