Arizona Governor Hobbs Faces Backlash for Hiking Post Amid Severe Flooding

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs faced criticism from Republican officials Monday after posting a campaign message about a morning hike as communities across northern Arizona dealt with flooding, evacuations, and emergency rescues.

The governor’s office announced an emergency declaration later that afternoon, making $200,000 available for affected communities. The announcement said state agencies were already conducting rescues, removing debris, and responding to damage.

“Nothing like hitting the trail for a morning hike before hitting the campaign trail,” Hobbs wrote in the November 2 post accompanying a photograph.

Nothing like hitting the trail for a morning hike before hitting the campaign trail. pic.twitter.com/t01PglGGne

— Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) November 2, 2026

The post drew objections from Republicans who questioned the governor’s public messaging during the disaster.

State Sen. Jake Hoffman wrote, “Northern AZ was devastated this weekend by severe flooding. Arizonans are being rescued out of their homes amidst raging flood waters. Entire communities, tens of thousands of Arizonans, have been impacted. Katie Hobbs’ response… she goes hiking before campaigning. FIRE HOBBS.”

Northern AZ was devastated this weekend by severe flooding

Arizonans are being rescued out of their homes amidst raging flood waters

Entire communities, tens of thousands of Arizonans, have been impacted

Katie Hobbs' response… she goes hiking before campaigning.

FIRE HOBBS. https://t.co/amnVmq6xhS

— Jake Hoffman (@JakeHoffmanAZ) November 2, 2026

Turning Point Action’s Tyler Bowyer also criticized the post, writing, “Arizona has devastating floods happening and here is Katie Hobbs response. This woman is an absolute idiot.”

Arizona has devastating floods happening and here is Katie Hobbs response

This woman is an absolute idiot pic.twitter.com/qAPfD9FMtP

— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) November 2, 2026

The Maricopa County Republican Committee amplified Hoffman’s criticism and urged voters to support Republican gubernatorial nominee Andy Biggs. The committee called for keeping Hobbs in “‘Take A Hike’ mode,” tying its criticism to the election.

Whoah. So bad. So pathetic.

Vote @AndyBiggs4AZ Governor to keep @katiehobbs in "Take A Hike" mode—1) on Election Day & 2) for all time's sake—removing her at the ballot box to prevent her—permanently—from holding office in Arizona, ever again! https://t.co/XZIzCh31MB

— Maricopa County Republican Committee | MCRC (@MaricopaGOP) November 2, 2026

The exchanges followed a weekend of dangerous conditions across northern Arizona. In a Monday morning report, KNAU described residents trapped in homes along Oak Creek in Sedona, with some evacuated from rooftops by helicopter.

Evacuation orders also affected parts of Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Tonto Creek, Winslow, and other communities near swollen waterways. In Flagstaff, sustained rainfall overwhelmed storm drains and flooded roads. KNAU reported that the National Weather Service continued warning of flooding as rivers and creeks remained elevated, even as rainfall was expected to move out of the region.

Later Monday, the Governor’s Office announced that Hobbs had declared an emergency following intense thunderstorms, high winds, and severe flash flooding. The office described substantial damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure, along with evacuations and displaced residents.

“The safety and security of every Arizonan is my top priority,” Hobbs said in the release. “I am issuing this emergency declaration to ensure our local authorities have the resources they need to clear roads, repair infrastructure, and help displaced residents. We will continue working directly with local emergency managers to rebuild and recover from this disaster.”

The office said the declaration activates the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan and makes $200,000 in emergency funding available. It also said the State Emergency Operations Center remained activated to coordinate requests and response activities.

The release expressly noted that state agencies had already been responding with rescues, debris removal, and other operations.

Although the Governor’s Office titled its announcement a “Statewide State of Emergency,” Arizona’s Family reported that the declaration included parts of Apache, Coconino, Gila, Greenlee, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai counties.

The covered tribal communities included the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and White Mountain Apache Tribe, according to the report.

Maricopa County separately declared a local emergency Monday for unincorporated areas following the October 30–November 1 storm system and requested inclusion in the state declaration.

County officials reported between 1 and 4 inches of rain in lower desert areas, including metropolitan Phoenix, and as much as 8 inches in northern and eastern foothills and higher elevations.

“There are communities and residents that are hurting,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee said in the county’s announcement.

The county said its Flood Control District, transportation and emergency management departments, and Sheriff’s Office had coordinated public safety notifications, search-and-rescue operations, road closures, and other protective measures throughout the storm. Its Emergency Operations Center was also activated.

County officials said they would continue monitoring dam releases and waterways while coordinating recovery efforts.

Monday’s state announcement followed a separate emergency declaration Hobbs issued October 30 for Navajo and Coconino counties after earlier flooding and tornadoes. KJZZ reported that the earlier declaration also allocated $200,000 to assist affected communities.