Flood — Pima, Arizona

2012-09-07 · near Old Tuscon, Pima, Arizona

Event narrative

Heavy rain of two to four inches occurred the previous afternoon on Tucson's west side near Ajo Way and Kinney Road and directly over the Brawley Wash just west of Sandario Road. In addition, two to three inches of rain fell in the Sierrita Mountains west of Green Valley. By the time the runoff from the Sierrita Mountains reached the west side of Tucson many hours later, Brawley Wash overflowed its banks. During the overnight hours, five vehicles drove into the flood waters and became stranded along Manville Road just west of Sandario Road. Around 2 am, one man escaped his vehicle before it was washed downstream only to be swept several yards away himself. He suffered a leg injury. His vehicle was found 200 yards downstream, upside down. The man's wife was found in the vehicle, drown. Rain redeveloped around daybreak allowing flood conditions to persist through mid morning.

Wider weather episode

A weak upper level disturbance combined with abundant moisture approaching 2 inches of precipitable water to generate widespread thunderstorms across southeast Arizona. Thunderstorms produced flash flooding and some produced damaging winds. The heavy rain caused flooding of the Brawley Wash on the west side of Tucson during the predawn hours of September 7th. One fatality and one injury resulted.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.2252, -111.2255)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 414369. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.