Crash, bang, boom: Storm hits Phoenix area, wind gusts topple power poles

PHOENIX — The monsoon left a reminder in the Valley that it was still around Monday night, showing off lightning, dropping rain and snapping power poles with 40-60 mph winds.

716p svr tstm warning for c maricopa county until 8pm. storm is over Papgo Park mvg ne at 30mph. Wind of 60mph expected. #azwx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 15, 2015

More than 17,000 homes and businesses lost power during the storm. Arizona Public Service customers were hit the hardest:

Metro Phx Update: APS crews made remarkable progress overnight. 14,600 customers restored; about 700 customers to go. pic.twitter.com/SALeVic4ek

— APS (@apsFYI) September 15, 2015

By Tuesday morning, all but 700 customers had electricity again, but APS said up to 15 may remain in the dark until Thursday.

Salt River Project had to restore power to about 1,900.

Central Phoenix became an obstacle course for drivers and pedestrians unfortunate enough to be outdoors. Indian School Road was closed off between 12th and 16th streets because of downed power poles and lines.

A falling power pole hit a truck on Indian School Road, the driver was unharmed; power lines stretched along the street like braids down a little girl’s back; a half-dozen poles wound up in the canal.

Area resident Mickey McKay said he was told his home might not have power for two days so he was leaving town.

“Since we really don’t have a safe place to stay, we can get a nice hotel room up in Vegas,” he said.

710p strong tstm with heavy rain, small hail and 40 mph wind over S Phx near Laveen. #azwx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 15, 2015

Just to the west, at Seventh Street and Indian School Road, the storm hit the Phoenix VA hospital hard. IT networks and telephone systems went out. More than 40 patient rooms were damaged from driving wind and rains.
Patients were taken to other hospital emergency rooms

KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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