Flash Flood — Pima, Arizona

2018-07-10 · near Rillito, Pima, Arizona

Event narrative

Thunderstorms produced 2 to 3 inches of rain in around on hour on both sides of I-10 from Cortaro to Twin Peaks which caused flash flooding. Some of these areas had als received 1 to 2 inches of rain two days earlier. Many roads and intersections were closed due to flash flooding on the northwest side of Tucson encompassing an area from Tangerine Rd and I-10 down to Ina Rd and I-10. First responders performed at least eight swift water rescues of motorists. A restaurant and animal shelter were also flooded, along with damage to Sanctuary Cove foot trail. A total of 8 swift water rescues had to be performed. Flood waters damaged railroad tracks and derailed over two dozen Union Pacific railroad cars north of Twin Peaks Road, causing extensive damage and closing the access road to Interstate 10 for several days.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms moved slowly northwest across southeast Arizona. Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Pima and Pinal Counties and especially in Marana where up to three inches of rain caused widespread flash flooding and considerable damage including a train derailment from rapidly flowing flood waters.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.4702, -111.1086)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 773863. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.