Flash Flood — La Paz, Arizona

2025-09-18 · near Wall, La Paz, Arizona

Event narrative

Multiple washes overflowing onto Highway 95 between Quartzite and Bouse making the low water crossings impassable. No damages or injuries reported.

Wider weather episode

The combination of an upper-level low off the CA coast and the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mario resulted in a significant moisture increase with PWATs increasing upwards of 1.8-2.0 across most of southwest AZ. The aforementioned features also provided strong upper-level forcing to result in widespread showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. With MLCAPE values maxing out at 1500 J/kg along with the abundant moisture, the thunderstorms were efficient rain producers, resulting in instances of flash flooding. DCAPE values ranging between 1000-1200 J/kg also resulted in instances of severe wind gusts. Further east, across Gila County, additional thunderstorm activity developed during the afternoon hours with cell training resulting in instances of flash flooding as well.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.9195, -114.2431)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1293043. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.