Tropical Depression Rosa brings record-breaking rainfall to Phoenix

PHOENIX — With just two days into the month, the amount of rainfall from Tropical Depression Rosa that fell in Phoenix on Tuesday made it among the wettest Octobers on record.

According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, about 2.36 inches had fallen before 6 p.m. Tuesday night.

This made Tuesday the wettest October day on record and the eighth-wettest day ever.

And as I do this we're up to 2.36 inches. #azwx https://t.co/tuXZo5PXoV

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 3, 2018

#Phoenix has seen 2.24" at the airport. The 9th wettest day for us ever. More rain across the Valley likely. Loop courtesy of @ArizonaDEQ #azwx pic.twitter.com/4zXeRpQySv

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 2, 2018

But that wasn’t the only record that Tuesday’s rainfall shattered: According to local meteorologist Paul Iniguez‏, the rainfall was the 4th-biggest rain event for the Valley since 1990.

Now up to 4th biggest rain event for Phoenix area since 1990. #azwx https://t.co/cyGrh4wFJG

2014-09-08 2.92
1992-07-24 1.29
2014-09-27 1.18
2018-10-02 1.01**
2005-08-02 1.00
1992-08-22 0.84
1990-09-03 0.83
2008-07-10 0.81
2014-08-19 0.78
1990-08-14 0.67 pic.twitter.com/kAYHYVkQ9L

— Paul Iniguez (@pauliniguez) October 2, 2018

The rain also forced the closure of one intersection and three elementary schools in the Valley.

The Arizona Department of Transportation announced around 7:30 a.m. that Peoria Avenue was closed in both directions at the Interstate 17 because of a flooded underpass.

CLOSURE: I-17 and Peoria: Underpass is flooding. Peoria EB/WB is blocked at I-17. #phxtraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/JRL0dXbMwC

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 2, 2018

Desert Horizon Elementary School in the Pendergast Elementary School District in Phoenix was also closed Tuesday due to “severe flooding,” according to its website. Rio Vista Elementary School in the same district was closed due to a power outage.

Rainbow Valley Elementary School in Buckeye was also closed due to flooding.

Rain from Tropical Depression Rosa also triggered a flash flood watch across the Valley, including Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe. It could last until Wednesday.

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