Environment

Worst Monsoon "In a Decade" Closes Airport, Knocks Out Power in Phoenix Area

by PEP | July 11, 2008 at 10:05 am

613 views | 2 Recommendations | 4 comments

UPDATE: The monsoon dropped three inches of rain in Mesa, AZ and about two inches of rain in Phoenix and some nearby areas. Roads became rivers and at least one road is still covered in mud, according to Fox 10 in Phoenix.

I've been in a monsoon in the Phoenix area, and it is major storm power! Sky Harbor was closed, traffic was snarled, and many are still without power in this ongoing series of storms--with more expected this weekend.

Valley residents can expect to get wet Friday as the monsoon thunderstorms that soaked the Valley Thursday evening continue through the weekend.

The Thursday monsoon was one of the wettest in a decade, flooding roads, knocking out power, temporarily closing Sky Harbor and stranding some motorists.

Friday, a number of roads in Queen Creek were closed after being flooded or covered with mud. Power Road, Riggs Road, Hawes Road and Sossaman Road were all closed at Sonoqui Wash, according to the town's Public Works Department.

7 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

PEP

at 10:17 on July 11th, 2008

According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, the area is under a Hazardous Weather Statement: "THERE WILL BE A CONTINUED CHANCE FOR SHOWERS ANDTHUNDERSTORMS...PRIMARILY DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENINGHOURS. THE PRIMARY HAZARD WILL BE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL... WHICH COULD LEAD TO FLOODING OF ROADS...STREAMS...WASHES AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS. IN ADDITION...GUSTY WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH AND DEADLYCLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE."

My secondary place is in New Mexico, so I know how dangerous flash floods can be.
.