Large monsoon storm closes down Phoenix-area freeway

Following Friday’s big monsoon storm, Tuesday brought heavy rain and flash floods as Valley drivers headed home from work.

The rainfall numbers were substantial.

Rainfall of 2" inches in 1-hr has a return interval of 1% or 1-in-100 years for central Phoenix. #azwx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 3, 2016

Due to rain activity some manhole covers have shifted out of place on streets – crews are out repositioning them – pls drive w/ caution

— PHX Street Trans. (@PHXStreetTrans) August 3, 2016

Flash flood warnings hit the center metro areas of Phoenix as rush hour traffic neared its conclusion.

515p Flood Warning! Heavy rain over the center of the metro. Take extra time getting home! #azwx pic.twitter.com/IKiTNHTSa6

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 3, 2016

Flash Flood Warning in effect for Maricopa County issued by @NWSPhoenix. Locations may experience flooding #PHXStorm pic.twitter.com/PjGe6berCG

— City of Phoenix, AZ (@CityofPhoenixAZ) August 2, 2016

The flooding was so severe it caused the Interstate 17 to close in both directions at Indian School Road at 5:30 p.m.

ADOT says flooding has closed Interstate 17 in both directions at Indian School Road. No estimate of when the highway will reopen. @KTAR923

— Jim Cross (@Crossfire923) August 3, 2016

Removing last vehicle caught in I-17/Indian School flooding. Crews are working to reopen highway. #phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/UzLpEQdyba

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 3, 2016

I-17 remains closed in both directions at Indian School due to flooding. Consider exiting highway well before closure. #phxtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 3, 2016

Southbound lanes opened more than four hours later.

UPDATE: Southbound lanes of I-17 have reopened at Indian School Road. NB lanes remain closed for now. #phxtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 3, 2016

Another major section of the freeway was closed by flooding.

Flooding has made the ramp from I-10 westbound to SR 51 is impassable except for large vehicles. #phxtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 3, 2016

Two water rescues were already done by Phoenix Police.

Images of the flooding began to show on social media.

Expect FLOODED ROADS! Please do not cross flooded streets. Turn around, don't drown! #azwx pic.twitter.com/rsMHAo8K9f

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 3, 2016

75th ave & Indian school rd pic.twitter.com/sAv7E46UWU

— Ronald Wayne (@thepolicerule) August 3, 2016

Some of my neighbors near 63rd Ave and Camelback are totally flooded. #azwx @azcentral pic.twitter.com/RM6hCLdtB0

— Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (@JerodMacEvoy) August 3, 2016

The impact of the rain could be seen by those leaving University of Phoenix Stadium after the Arizona Cardinals wrapped up training camp for the day.

University of Phoenix Stadium getting a good power washing pic.twitter.com/42snFEzbbt

— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) August 2, 2016

It's raining on Loop 101 Agua Fria near UOP Stadium. Adjust your speed to conditions. #azwx #phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/Ub7H8jd82I

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 3, 2016

A brief severe thunderstorm warning arrived in those areas as well.

⚠️ Take Cover! Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Phoenix AZ and Tempe AZ until 5:45 PM MST pic.twitter.com/JGwtGXJByo

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 3, 2016

APS’ outage map showed more than 2,000 customers without power in the Glendale and Phoenix area around 7:00 p.m.. SRP at one point had over 1,300 outages across the Valley.

Tuesday’s storm comes after the brief bits of monsoon weather that hit the Valley after Friday’s storm left over 17,000 SRP customers without power.

Follow @KTAR923