Monday storms bring blowing dust, strong winds, rain to Valley

PHOENIX — Severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were issued for Maricopa County as a storm system rolled through much of the Valley Monday afternoon.

As of 8 p.m. 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 just south of downtown Phoenix receiving the highest rainfall total at 1.34 inches.

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

Many houses and buildings were damaged by the winds and rain.

Serious damage at this apartment complex at Van Buren and 25th St in Phoenix @abc15 #abc15wx pic.twitter.com/E3wzkTxJYB

— Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) July 10, 2018

Flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport were both canceled and delayed.

OK so this dust storm is now some kind of gigantic rain storm… No flying. Wild wild weather! Ugh long delays… #Phoenix pic.twitter.com/jnAFfWhep5

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 9, 2018

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar captured live video of the storm along Loop 202 Red Mountain in Mesa.

#StormChasing in the east valley. There’s standing water on the 202 at Dobson. 1/3 of an inch of rain fell between 4p-410p. Getting small hail at the chick fila off Dobson. Tune to @KTAR923 for more. pic.twitter.com/ynV1Mjmt88

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) July 9, 2018

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kevin Zimmerman reported power outages near 3rd Avenue and Roosevelt Street in downtown Phoenix.

Update: power is out. pic.twitter.com/b7lJyOCkeC

— Kevin Zimmerman (@KZimmermanAZ) July 9, 2018

The Mesa Fire Department was called to the area of University Drive and Center Street after the storm caused a large tree to fall on a home, trapping an elderly man inside.

Paramedic/firefighters and technical rescue teams working on rescuing occupant in his 70’s from this home near University and Center. pic.twitter.com/ogvVXhm6At

— Mesa (Arizona) Fire & Medical Dept (@MesaFireDept) July 9, 2018

The department later announced the man was safely removed from his home.

The National Weather Service tweeted that much of Arizona could be affected by thunderstorms.

Much of Arizona and far southeast California should be prepared for the effects of thunderstorms this afternoon. Large swaths of strong winds and dust, plus localized flooding. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/51WSf5vO33

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 9, 2018

It would also reduce the possibility of storm activity for Tuesday.

“If we have a really active day (Monday), (Tuesday) might be a bit of a down day,” Percha said.

On Sunday night, a monsoon storm wiped out power for thousands of West Valley residents.

Arizona Public Service’s outage map showed at least 10,000 customers in Buckeye were in the dark after rain and wind blasted through the city, taking down power lines along the way. Winds were estimated to have been as high as 50 mph.

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