Thunderstorm rolls through metro Phoenix during rush hour
Oct 5, 2021, 2:26 PM | Updated: 9:53 pm
(ADOT photo)
(ADOT photo)
PHOENIX — A thunderstorm rolled across metro Phoenix Tuesday during rush hour, continuing what has been a wet day for the Valley.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 6:45 p.m. for areas that included Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa and Guadalupe.
The storm brought winds that could reach up to 60 mph and potentially produce quarter-sized hail.
After dropping 0.20 inches of rain in some areas south of the Valley, the storm moved northeast toward downtown Phoenix and resulted in 0.04 inches of rain falling.
The storm then moved toward Scottsdale and dropped 0.12 inches of rain.
6:02 PM A severe thunderstorm is approaching the east valley including Scottsdale and Mesa. Strong thunderstorm wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and quarter size hail are likely along with localized flooding over the next hour. #azwx pic.twitter.com/uJdZq3oJDe
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) October 6, 2021
Earlier in the day, thousands of people in the East Valley were left without power after a strong storm brought rain and wind to the area.
Salt River Project reported outages impacting more than 17,000 customers between McQueen and Gilbert roads in Chandler and Gilbert around 2 p.m.
Heads up, #GilbertAZ! Due to the storm, @SRPconnect is reporting various power outages throughout the community.
Several traffic signals are experiencing outages. Remember to treat the intersection like a four-way stop if the traffic lights are out and drive safe. 🚦 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/aaac2JLLtd
— Gilbert, Arizona (@GilbertYourTown) October 5, 2021
Only about 1,000 homes were without power in the East Valley as of 3:30 p.m. and most had power back by 6 p.m.
Arizona Public Service, the Valley’s other major power provider, reported an outage around 6:30 p.m. that impacted just over 100 customers. The outage was cleared a few hours later.
The East Valley saw most of the significant rainfall as of Tuesday evening, with areas of Mesa picking up 0.28 inches while 0.55 inches of rain fell in Fountain Hills, according to Maricopa County Flood Control District rain gauges.
