Storms do damage in, around Phoenix, more rain to come
Jul 17, 2017, 7:39 AM | Updated: 11:27 am
Lightning strikes as a monsoon sweeps toward north Phoenix Sunday night, July 16, 2017. Strong storm systems in Phoenix have caused major power outages, flooded part of a major highway and prompted air traffic controllers to divert some flights bound for Phoenix. (Chirag Patel via AP)
(Chirag Patel via AP)
PHOENIX — After a stormy night in metro Phoenix, weather officials said more rain was coming Monday.
A monsoon storm Sunday night dropped up to a half-inch of rain in much of the Valley. More than 2 inches of rain dropped on Litchfield Park, a suburb west of Phoenix and winds knocked down power lines from Peoria to Mesa.
The chance for thunderstorms to start the work week was forecast at 30 percent, with a 99-degree high. Odds for rain jumped to 40 percent Tuesday, then down to 20 percent over the next days.
And a zillion pictures later … finally one lightning shot 😀⛈ #lightning #azwx pic.twitter.com/mg2DBzX2Zk
— Giovanii Hernandez (@HereIsGio) July 17, 2017
Flash-flood warnings went into place for the area and beyond.
The monsoon airmass over the region is very wet & conducive to hvy tstm rain that could lead to flood or flash floodg today.#azwx pic.twitter.com/eOz7Fshegx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 17, 2017
Further north, nine people were killed in a flash flood at a swimming hole over the weekend near Payson.
Winds briefly reached 62 miles per hour at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and 59 mph at Luke Air Force Base, meteorologist Andrew Deemer with the National Weather Service said.
The storms prompted air traffic controllers to divert some flights bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor to airports in Mesa, Tucson and Las Vegas.
Other big gusts were also recorded: 49 miles per hour at Deer Valley Airport, 47 miles per hour at Scottsdale Airport and parts of Tempe and Gilbert and 40 mph at Chandler Airport, according to data.
Lots of downed trees after last night’s storm. #azwx #monsoon https://t.co/2Yi6mbkJwg pic.twitter.com/0xkxGInzyo
— Scott DeLuzio (@scottdeluzio) July 17, 2017
@NWSPhoenix tree damage from 7/16/17 storm, Raintree and Thompson Peak #azwx pic.twitter.com/tfJYNYQXP9
— Sara Jackson (@sljacks3) July 17, 2017
Utility company Salt River Project was working to restore power to hundreds of customers.
(Screenshot)
Flooding near downtown Phoenix created a traffic issue.
I-10 Eastbound in the Tunnel, before 7th Street: The right lanes are flooded – please avoid! #PhxTraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/n0BbCJfvUg
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 17, 2017
But the rain also brought down temperatures.
The good news is the storms brought the temp in #Phoenix down to 74°. The first time we’ve seen the 70s since June 17th! #azwx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 17, 2017
KTAR’s Jim Cross and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
