Rain, flooding close roads all across metro Phoenix

PHOENIX – Heavy rains that hammered parts of metro Phoenix on Monday put next-day commuters in a bit of a bind, with low-lying streets closed because of flooding.

A flood advisory went into place Tuesday in Maricopa County, the National Weather Service’s Phoenix bureau said. The advisory was set to end at 5:15 p.m.

While the official rain gauge at Sky Harbor Airport only recorded 0.17 inches, some suburbs received more than 3 inches of rain. Central Phoenix got about 2 inches, Larry Hopper with the weather service told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

A frontage road near Interstate 10 and Loop 303 in the West Valley was flooded, forcing a highway worker into hip-deep water to inspect drains.

ADOT at work: A maintenance-crew member's checking the drains on the I-10 frontage road near L-303. #Aztraffic pic.twitter.com/AbIssrmHxs

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 24, 2019

NOW: The normally bone-dry Skunk Creek in the West Valley is flowing with water this morning. #PhxTraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/a9Klje7YLP

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 24, 2019

The rain may continue through the morning. Always allow extra room and time when driving in severe weather. https://t.co/5hdrlBix2t pic.twitter.com/XCuz8VE5OW

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 24, 2019

Flooding had closed McKellips Road from Alma School Road to Loop 202 as a utility company released water from dams into the normally dry Salt River in the East Valley.

UPDATE: Water releases into the Salt River from Stewart Mtn and Granite Reef dams are expected to reach the Gilbert and McKellips roads crossings before rush hour. Currents will be extremely hazardous and debris-filled. Please stay out of the Salt River. Don’t drown, turn around. pic.twitter.com/q42R3CNk05

— Salt River Project (@SRPconnect) September 23, 2019

Gilbert Road was restricted to one lane in each direction between Thomas Road and State Route 87 because of the water release.

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation said McDowell Road was closed from 191st Avenue to Perryville Road; Osborn Road at 411th Avenue was blocked off; and Salome Highway at 398th Avenue was flooded.
Sixty-seventh Avenue from Southern Avenue to Broadway Road; Ninety-first Avenue from Baseline to Broadway roads; and Dixileta Drive from Crozier Road to 211th Avenue were also impassable.

State Route 88 was closed between Highway 188 and Apache Junction because of flooding.

“We’ve seen three-to-four-inches total out in Apache Junction,” Hopper said.

More rain was expected to fall Wednesday and Thursday.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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