Favorable positioning of upper level high pressure brought southeast flow and a corresponding increase in moisture which resulted in afternoon and evening thunderstorms across southern Arizona. Some of the storms produced strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 16:30:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: SABINO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Thunderstorm winds downed a tree and ripped off a porch roof near Houghton Road and Ridgeside Drive.

Heavy Rain in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 17:30:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: TUCSON
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

After strong winds peeled the roof off a volunteer organization, heavy rain caused ceiling tiles to collapse in the computer lab and over an office. Several computer units sustained water damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 17:10:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: VAIL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A strong fast moving storm caused widespread damage across the Tucson area. Power lines and a large tree were downed near Oracle Road and Hardy Road. More power lines were downed near Park Avenue and Broadway Boulevard in midtown Tucson. Several additional trees were downed including two large trees in Vail, a 60-foot tree near Tanque Verde and Wrightstown Road, and a 100-foot tall tree onto a vehicle in northern Tucson. Two additional trees were also downed on vehicles. One fell on a car in the Fairview Manor near Miracle Mile and Fairview and another tree fell on a car near Broadway and Craycroft. The same tree also brought a light pole down on a truck. Strong winds also ripped a roof off a mobile home in southwest Tucson and destroyed several outbuildings throughout the city. In addition, winds peeled the roof off the Literacy of Life office in Mid-town. Over 20,000 Tucson Electric Power customers were without power after the storms passed.

Hail in COCHISE, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 15:20:00 to 04-JUL-11 15:25:00 (MST-7)
Location: MESCAL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Lightning in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 16:50:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:50:00 (MST-7)
Location: TUCSON
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Lightning struck a 35-foot palm tree causing the tree to catch fire. Fiery debris fell onto a home and car, but heavy rains were able to dose the flames on the home. The car sustained minor damage to the fenders.

Lightning in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 17:00:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: TUCSON
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Lightning struck a tree causing the tree to fall on to the Zona Rio Apartments building, located near St Mary's Road and Bonita Ave. A family was trapped inside their third story apartment until rescued off the back balcony by Tucson Fire using their ladder truck.

Flash Flood in PIMA, ARIZONA
From 04-JUL-11 17:00:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: LITTLETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Heavy rain fell across portions of the Tucson Metro on July 4 with rainfall amounts ranging from 1 to 2.5 inches. The heaviest rains were reported in the Catalina Foothills and across eastern Tucson. This resulted in the Pantano Wash flooding several surface streets and low water crossings in southeast Tucson, including the closure of East Irvington at Houghton Road. Additional street closures included the 6500 block of Old Spanish Trail at Rincon Creek on the east side and Camino De La Tierra at the Rillito Wash in midtown.