Flash Flood — Pinal, Arizona

2012-07-29 · near Bapchule, Pinal, Arizona

Event narrative

Strong thunderstorms developed across the southeast portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 29th. Due to the very humid and unstable nature of the airmass, the storms were able to produce locally heavy rainfall with rates in excess of 2 inches per hour. The rains led to flash flooding; at about 5 pm a Flash Flood Warning was issued for the southeast valley including the community of San Tan Valley. According to the Pinal County Fire Department/Rescue, at 620 pm a 2 year boy died after he was swept down a flooded wash that ran behind his San Tan Valley home. A citizen on an ATV found the child and brought him to emergency crews, who performed CPR on the boy before taking him to Banner Ironwood Hospital. He died later that evening.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms developed across the deserts of south central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, during the afternoon hours on July 29th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall with rainfall rates in excess of 1.5 inches per hour. The excessive rain led to episodes of flash flooding, primarily in the southeast portions of the Phoenix area, and unfortunately led to the death of a 2 year old boy who was swept down a flooded wash in Queen Creek.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.1414, -111.6022)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 392277. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.