MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily) — Residents of Rainbow Valley are calling for flood warning systems along Waterman Wash after a man was swept away in floodwaters last month, leaving the small unincorporated community outside Goodyear searching for answers about jurisdiction and safety measures.

Vince Upton died in the floodwaters in October . His widow, Megan Upton, spoke publicly for the first time since his death. She said the situation is unimaginable but a solution needs to be put in place so other families don’t have to grieve like theirs.

The community has struggled to determine which agency has jurisdiction over flood mitigation in the area.

County clarifies jurisdiction requirements

Maricopa County provided a statement explaining the area’s complex jurisdictional structure:

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