Flash flood warning issued for parts of Gila County and Maricopa County

A weather disturbance is expected to produce multiple rounds of rain across central and southern Arizona on Wednesday.

“It’s going to help drive scattered to even widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region, including in the Phoenix area. We have an environment that’s very suitable for very heavy rain,” Sean Benedict, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

As storms and showers started developing after 10 a.m., a flash flood warning was issued for parts of Gila County and far eastern Maricopa County south of Roosevelt Lake until 1:30 p.m. Roadways in Roosevelt Estates and the areas surrounding the burn scar from the 2024 Black Fire are at risk for flash floods.

Flash Flood Warning including Gila County, AZ, Maricopa County, AZ until 1:30 PM MST pic.twitter.com/90lRPIHz5v

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 16, 2026

The weather service previously issued a flood watch across the Valley through 11 p.m. because of the potential for flash flooding.

“In addition to there being the flooding risk, can’t quite rule out the potential for some isolated severe storms in there,” Benedict said. “With all this moisture, you could potentially put down some wet microbursts that could lead to some damaging winds. So, looking like an active day.”

How much rain is expected Wednesday

Phoenix entered the day with a rainfall total of 1.41 inches for the 2026 monsoon season (June 15-Sept. 30), which is 0.77 inches below normal.

Wednesday’s rainfall totals will vary widely by location, but there could be enough to make up the seasonal deficit.

“The main reason why we have that flood watch in effect is because there’s indications that some areas could see very high rainfall amounts, even upwards of 3 to 4 inches,” Benedict said. “Just the average rainfall amount’s probably going to be more in that, maybe, half to an inch range around south-central Arizona, and then it drops off as you head west.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

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