Flash Flood — La Paz, Arizona

2022-08-14 · near Utting, La Paz, Arizona

Event narrative

Washes were reported to be running across SR 72 and McVay Road, causing impacts to the roadways. No damage or injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

Abundant moisture (PWATs 1.7-2.0) and instability (MUCAPE 2,000 J/kg) provided a favorable environment for strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Arizona on the 14th. Daytime heating aided in thunderstorm development across the high terrain north of Phoenix before sending outflows traveling toward the south into the lower elevations. New thunderstorm development occurred along these outflows into the Valley where they produced damaging winds, dense blowing dust, and isolated flash flooding. Additional thunderstorm development occurred across southwest Arizona where better moisture allowed thunderstorms to be efficient rainfall producers, leading to multiple reports of flash flooding. No injuries were reported from this event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.8016, -113.8353)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1052924. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.