SRP initiates free ice distribution program following Valley storms

PHOENIX — The Salt River Project has initiated its free ice distribution program after a severe thunderstorm made its way through the Valley Monday, leaving thousands without power.

According to a release, at least 48,000 SRP customer are without power after the storm — 36,000 of which in Mesa and Apache Junction.

SRP also said it would release about 200-cubic-square-feet of water per second from the north side of Granite Reef Dam and into the Salt River due to the heavy runoff in canals.

QuikTrip, Reddy Ice and AZ Iceman will join SRP in the ice distribution program, supplying free ice to customer in areas affected the most from the storms.

Customers can pick up a 10-pound bag of ice for free from any of the QuikTrip locations below:

– 517 W McKellips Road (Near Loop 202 and McKellips Road in Mesa)

– 1141 S. Crismon Road (Near Southern and Crismon roads in Mesa)

Severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were issued for Maricopa County as a result of the storm Monday afternoon.

Rain had accumulated southeast of the Valley all the way to the northwest. Roads and freeways were limited through the rush hour commute due to visibility from the dust and rain.

Many parts of the Valley saw at least a half-inch of rain or more, with the area of Greenfield and Brown Roads in Mesa receiving 1.02 inches.

The highest rainfall total in the Valley was just southeast of downtown Phoenix with 1.34 inches of rain.

Both SRP and APS reported power outages as the storm rolled through, with more than 70,000 total residents affected.

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