Flash Flood — Gila, Arizona

2025-09-04 · near Winkelman, Gila, Arizona

Event narrative

Arizona Department of Transportation reported Barnes Rd was closed between Stanfield Rd and Pala Rd due to flooding. The report came out at 0854MST on 9/4, but timing was moved up to shortly after the last of the heavy rain fell in the area. No damages or injuries reported.

Wider weather episode

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed over the northern half of AZ as well as near the International Border during the afternoon hours with more isolated activity developing across the foothills and higher terrain areas east of Phoenix. All of this activity was due to strong upper-level ascent associated with a low pressure system along the west coast and another upper-level disturbance over northern Mexico. Outflow boundaries from the aforementioned activity sparked new thunderstorm activity during the evening hours across much of the south-central AZ lower deserts, including the Phoenix area. The combination of MLCAPE values between 500-1000 J/kg and DCAPE values of around 1500 J/kg supported strong to locally severe downburst wind gusts. PWATs were also near 1.5, supporting an environment conducive to high rainfall rates with these thunderstorms and thus some flooding impacts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.9199, -111.9515)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294818. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.