Streets, washes flood in Phoenix area after heavy rain

PHOENIX – Driving rain flooded low-lying areas in metro Phoenix early Friday, and more rain was expected, meteorologists said.

A flash flood watch was issued for Maricopa County that was scheduled to last until 8 a.m.

The National Weather Service some areas that would have flooding included Cave Creek, Carefree and north Scottsdale.

Washes and streets were overwhelmed with water; the West Valley and beyond were hit particularly hard.

“As you go west (outside of Phoenix), there were bands of showers and storms that dumped some pretty hefty totals,” forecaster Chris Breckenridge at the National Weather Service’s Phoenix bureau told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Almeria Rd and 160th Ave. Driveways and sidewalks are under water. #azwx @GoodyearAZGov pic.twitter.com/nTWWuT1IuH

— Jim Kelly (@GeekInAwe) March 13, 2020

What a wet few days in Phoenix. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport has tied the longest streak on record of days measuring 0.25" or more each day. #azwx
Tue: 0.28"
Wed: 0.67"
Thu: 0.43"
Fri: so far 0.27"

Only other periods occurred in 1931 and 1932.

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March 13, 2020

Streets were closed at Narramore Road from Airport Road to 215th Avenue, in Buckeye, and parts of old U.S. 80 in Maricopa County near the Gila River.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, 0.27 inches of rain had fallen by 2:30 a.m.

Surprise had nearly an inch of rain; a gauge at Grand Avenue and 27th Avenue in Phoenix measured 1.06 inches; about an inch fell in north Scottsdale.

Rain on Thursday hit early and late in the day.

Both commuter rushes were a wet mess.

Parts of north Phoenix received a half inch of rain in about 20 minutes during the afternoon, the weather service said.

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