Rain begins falling after dust storm blows through Phoenix
Aug 9, 2016, 11:37 AM | Updated: 1:31 pm
(Twitter Photo/@sfmd_az_gov)
(Twitter Photo/@sfmd_az_gov)
PHOENIX — Rain began falling ahead of schedule Tuesday, following a dust storm that moved through the Phoenix area about lunchtime.
Dust began blowing about 11 a.m. in the East Valley and had made its way into downtown Phoenix by noon.
Time lapse of dust storm coming into downtown Phoenix. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/AYmZYmLxga
— Tyler Klaus (@TylerKMOV) August 9, 2016
A wall of dust is rolling through Gilbert. The storm has arrived!⛈ pic.twitter.com/rJpuUKe3V1
— Gilbert Fire Rescue (@GilbertFireDept) August 9, 2016
The dust storm was followed by rain the is likely part of a large storm that was expected to move into the area Tuesday evening, but apparently arrived ahead of schedule.
Rain had already fallen before noon on Tuesday. Maricopa County flood control rain gauges showed more than an inch of rain had fallen near Apache Junction. A flash flood warning was issued shortly after.
Current at SFMD admin.#TropicalStormJavier #PullAsideToStayAlive@royalnorman @andreafox10 @KimQuintero @Fox10Dave pic.twitter.com/wtDaGAI9Xq
— SFMD (@sfmd_az_gov) August 9, 2016
The Superstition Fire and Medical District said it was assisting several cars that had gotten stuck in floodwaters.
L263 heading to San Marcos & Broadway to assist a stalled vehicle in water. #TropicalStormJavier pic.twitter.com/7mZwk8tgSw
— SFMD (@sfmd_az_gov) August 9, 2016
3rd vehicle stalled in 20 minutes for L263. #TropicalStormJavier pic.twitter.com/5YYck6fbb9
— SFMD (@sfmd_az_gov) August 9, 2016
About 1,000 people lost power in the area and some roads were closed.
Superstion Blvd east of State Route 88 is flooded
— AJ Police Department (@AJPoliceDept) August 9, 2016
Westbound State Route 238 was closed at milepost 40, west of Maricopa County.
The Fountain Hills area received about an inch of rain in some areas and washes were flowing.
Slightly more than a half-inch had fallen near parts of South Mountain.
All after-school activities were canceled in Gilbert.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport said no flights were affected as of 11:50 a.m.
A flash flood warning was issued for both Maricopa and Pinal counties through 2:23 p.m.
Phoenix is distributing sand for sand bags at locations around the city. Residents must provide their own bags and shovels.
The Arizona Department of Transportation has said its freeway drainage system is ready to handle the expected rain.
KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.
