Flood — Maricopa, Arizona

2014-08-12 to 2014-08-13 · near West Chandler, Maricopa, Arizona

Event narrative

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain across the south central portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon and evening hours on August 12th. Peak rainfall rates were well in excess of one inch per hour at times, and storm total rainfall amounts exceeded 3 inches. Some of the hardest hit communities included Laveen, Ahwatukee and South Phoenix. At 1930MST, a trained weather spotter 3 miles northwest of South Mountain Park measured an afternoon storm total rainfall of 3.2 inches. According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's office, heavy rain led to flash flooding and subsequently areal flooding. Numerous roads were flooded and closed, including the intersections of 27th Avenue and Cheyenne Drive, and 45th Avenue and Ivanhoe Street. Many homes in the area, especially those along Dobbins Road between 19th Avenue and 51st Avenue, suffered significant flood damage, as water 1-3 feet filled up their residences. The flooding also produced significant damage to the SRP water system according to SRP spokesman Jeff Lane. The flooding prompted the issuance of an Areal Flood Warning which remained in effect through the early morning hours on August 13th. No injuries were reported due to the flooding.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms continued to develop across south central Arizona during the afternoon hours on August 12th, and they persisted well into the evening. Many of the storms affected the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Due to excessively moist atmospheric conditions, a Flash Flood Watch was in effect from noon August 12th through 5 am on Wednesday August 13th. Many of the thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain with rainfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour at times. The heavy rain led to urban flooding, flash flooding, and eventually areal flooding which affected much of the greater Phoenix area, especially the southeast and south central portions.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.2898, -112.0022)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 530946. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.