Flash Flood — Pima, Arizona

2018-08-12 · near Sahuarita, Pima, Arizona

Direct deaths

$15K

Property damage

Event narrative

Up to 1.5 inches of rain in less than 1 hour caused rapid flows on Flato Wash which swept away a vehicle on Old Nogales Highway. The lone driver, who had driven around police barricades, and the vehicle were swept downstream to the west side of main Nogales Highway where the vehicle rested on its top, but remained submerged in flood waters. Rescuers were unable to reach the driver in time to save him.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms moved southwest across Pinal, Pima and Santa Cruz Counties during the afternoon and evening hours. Storms produced heavy rain and flash flooding. One motorist drown when attempting to cross flood waters south of Tucson.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.0292, -110.8964)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 781920. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.