Unrelenting Phoenix-area rain forces closure of intersections, schools

PHOENIX — Multiple intersections in Phoenix and three elementary schools across the Valley were closed early Tuesday due to unrelenting rain from a downgraded hurricane — and it was not expected to slow down anytime soon.

The Phoenix Police Department advised drivers to avoid the area around 51st Street and Chandler Boulevard, Warner Road and 7th Street and Baseline Road and 7th Street, as all of the intersections were closed due to flooding.

But that was not the only intersection that was closed due to flooding: The Arizona Department of Transportation announced around 7:30 a.m. that Peoria Avenue was closed in both directions at the Interstate 17.

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

Standing water recedes at Peoria underpass beneath I-17. @ArizonaDOT crews still face cleanup work after H2O is gone pic.twitter.com/RHwvzt95BB

— Doug Nintzel (@DougNintzel) October 2, 2018

It was reopened around noon, when water from the storm receded.

#Phoenix ***** TRAFFIC ALERT! Peoria / I-17 HAS RE-OPENED! Earlier Flooding in the area has receded! Good News there! pic.twitter.com/9cN3vdoJID

— Gil Estrada (@PhxTrafficAlert) October 2, 2018

Confirmation: Peoria Ave open under I-17 after heavy Rosa Runoff. @ArizonaDOT crews were fast with final cleanup. pic.twitter.com/GBuoGopM7S

— Doug Nintzel (@DougNintzel) October 2, 2018

Maricopa Community Colleges announced it would cancel classes and events for Tuesday due to “extreme weather.”

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Therefore, due to extreme weather, we are closing all college locations today, October 2, 2018. All Maricopa classes and events scheduled for today will be canceled. We will reopen tomorrow, October 3, at 8 a.m. pic.twitter.com/yjSzN88wJz

— Maricopa Community Colleges (@mcccd) 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.

But students across the Valley should not hold out their hopes for an off day soon: The Phoenix Elementary School District announced that its 14 schools were opening on time Tuesday, despite the rain.

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, according to National Weather Service Phoenix.

The Phoenix area had a daily rainfall record of .64 of an inch before the commuter rush hour ended.

More than two inches of rain has fallen since midnight Tuesday.

Several Phoenix streets were also closed due to flooding.

Please Avoid these closed intersections due to flooding: 51st Street/Chandler Blvd, Warner Road/7th St & Baseline Road/7th Street. #PhxTraffic #PHXStorm

— Phoenix Police (@phoenixpolice) October 2, 2018

Firefighters rescued at least six people including a small child from vehicles trapped in a flooded Valley intersection.

The rescues broadcast on TV Tuesday morning showed firefighters slogging through nearly waist-deep water and carrying people one at a time to a firetruck.

A nearby riverbed that is normally dry overflowed, spilling muddy water onto the street. About 10 vehicles including a bus were at a standstill in the water or trying to drive through it.

Trooper Kameron Lee of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said rain “played a factor” in numerous car accidents during the morning Phoenix commute, but there were no reports of serious crashes.

Thousands of people across the Valley were left without power at one point, according to the SRP and APS outage maps. SRP restored power to its customers by 9:30 a.m.

Rosa will likely soak the southwestern United States, weather experts said.

“All that means is conditions are favorable for flash flooding if it rains,” weather service meteorologist Jaret Rogers said.

“It doesn’t mean something’s imminent.”

Rosa dropped from hurricane status over the weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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