Phoenix-area residents should prepare for more flash flooding
Sep 25, 2019, 1:12 PM | Updated: 4:34 pm
(AP File Photo)
PHOENIX – Showers expected to hit the Phoenix area Wednesday and Thursday have prompted another series of flash-flood warnings for Maricopa County.
A flash flood watch was extended to 5 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of AZ and SE CA through 5 pm Thursday…including all of the Greater Phoenix…Yuma…and Imperial areas. Monitor latest forecasts/updates for possible warnings. Turn around if you encounter flooded roads! #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/7QcjtIQNWW
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 25, 2019
Chances for heavy rainfall were higher for outlying areas of the Valley, Larry Hopper, a weather service meteorologist in Phoenix, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.
“It’s hard to say exactly where that will occur, but there is some indication that may happen … in places like Wickenburg to Cave Creek. They may have quite a bit of rainfall.”
The county Flood Control District anticipated New River likely would also suffer from hard hits.
Storm chances ramp back up today into Thurs. Watersheds around the County are still very wet and any additional heavy rain could lead to flash flooding #azwx Full forecast here: https://t.co/SlBIwxW4g4 #BeFloodSmart #BeWeatherReady ***Previous Tweet had wrong image*** pic.twitter.com/uoQK62OARV
— FCDMC Flood Info (@FCDFloodInfo) September 25, 2019
Chance for strong storms again today with the potential for flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Thursday. The greatest concern will be areas that received significant rain on Monday. Storm chances pick up this afternoon and extend through tonight. #azwx pic.twitter.com/0UIs0hkcs3
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 25, 2019
Stay up to date with our mobile friendly rainfall map. It is updated in real time! https://t.co/kFZhSl6q0t #azwx #befloodsmart pic.twitter.com/Sd8Tlny2zH
— The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (@FloodControlMC) September 25, 2019
Earlier in the week, storms dumped rain that collected in washes and several low-lying Valley streets, from the west side to the east side.
“We might have even had a few places that had more than two inches in an hour,” Hopper said.
A Monday storm dropped nearly 3 inches at Lake Pleasant, 2.28 inches in New River and 1.93 inches in Mesa.
Some floodwater in the East Valley was caused by utility company Salt River Project releases at two dams into the usually dry Salt River.
Sandbags are available in Phoenix and other cities in the Valley for residents to protect their homes.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.