Rosa rain keeps flash flood warnings in place in Phoenix area

PHOENIX — A flash flood warning for part of metro Phoenix has been extended four more hours Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

The area included Anthem and New River, along Interstate 17 north of central Phoenix.

Tropical Depression Rosa pushed a record amount of rain into the Valley on Tuesday, 2.36 inches, making it one of the wettest Octobers ever and one of the wettest days in Phoenix’s history.

Flooding closed schools and pooled in streets and on freeways and triggered flash flood warnings all around the state.

Flash Flood Warning including Anthem AZ, New River AZ until 10:30 AM MST pic.twitter.com/6lYGDQTVeT

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 3, 2018

More rain was expected to fall. A flood watch in Maricopa County was set to expire at 5 p.m.

Thunderstorms and showers will once again develop this morning/afternoon which will continue the flash flooding threat for south central Arizona. If you encounter flooded roadways always remember to turn around, don’t drown. #azwx pic.twitter.com/GK1q56YFB8

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 3, 2018

NEW: Flash flood in the New River just off Table Mesa Rd at 7:15 am with water level continuing to rise @breakingweather @NWSPhoenix @FCDFloodInfo #azwx pic.twitter.com/BTjmw95Fmm

— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) October 3, 2018

Flooding from runoff from remnants of Rosa is already causing major trouble in southern Arizona: Authorities said a lake behind an earthen dam is swollen with storm runoff and could fail.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday said water levels were within a foot of overtopping Menagers Dam and that it could give way if overtopped, resulting in flash flooding of the community of Ali Chuk on Tohono O’odham Nation’s reservation west of Tucson.

Residents were being evacuated.

The tribal Department of Public Safety said Tuesday night that flooding from runoff from remnants of former Tropical Storm Rosa made roads impassable in the area on Tuesday and tribal officials were working to evacuate residents from the area.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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