Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across portions of the greater Phoenix area during the mid afternoon hours on July 31st. One storm produced a wind gust to 64 mph at the Deer Valley airport. The thunderstorms moved slowly north, then congealed and intensified over the community of Anthem. Very heavy rains, with rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour, were observed and they led to episodes of flash flooding in the community of Anthem. One weather observer reported rainfall in excess of 5 inches in his rain gage. Flooding also occurred in the Deadman Wash near Interstate 17 to the west of Anthem.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 16:45:00 to 31-JUL-12 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: PHOENIX DEER VLY ARP
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. Some of the storms affected the community of Deer Valley and they generated strong microburst winds. At 445 pm, the official ASOS weather station at the Deer Valley airport recorded a peak wind gust of 56 knots, or 64 mph. No damage was reported at the airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 17:57:00 to 31-JUL-12 17:57:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Isolated thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. The storms, which affected the community of Anthem, were capable of producing strong, damaging microburst winds.  At 557 pm, an automated weather station 2 miles northwest of Anthem measured a thunderstorm wind gust to  58 knots (67 mph).

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 18:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 18:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. During the latter portion of the afternoon, a few storms in the Anthem area congealed and intensified. As the storms grew stronger, they produced damaging microburst winds, small hail and very heavy rain. At 630 pm, a trained weather spotter 2 miles north of Anthem reported  that gusty microburst winds had torn up a number of trees throughout his neighborhood. The peak wind gusts were estimated to be in excess of 60 knots. In addition, the storms produced half inch hail and very heavy rain.

Heavy Rain in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 17:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 18:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portion of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. As the afternoon progressed, the storms congealed and intensified. As the storms grew stronger, they produced very heavy rainfall in the community of Anthem, and the rain led to episodes of flash flooding around the town. Peak rainfall rates as shown by radar were in excess of 3 inches per hour. At about 615 pm, a trained weather spotter in town measured 1.5 inches of rainfall which occurred in the past 45 minutes. The rain was accompanied by pea sized hail.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 17:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including Anthem, during the afternoon hours on July 31st. During the late afternoon the storms congealed and intensified, and as they grew stronger they produced extremely heavy rain. Radar indicated that peak rainfall rates were in excess of 3 inches per hour. Rain gage reports from around Anthem indicated that over 3 inches fell within a 3 hour period ending at 7 pm. The heavy rain led to episodes of flash flooding in the community of Anthem. At 620 pm, the local fire department and rescue unit rescued a juvenile from a flooded wash in the area near 3400 West Whitman Drive.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 18:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including the community of Anthem, during the afternoon hours on July 31st. During the late afternoon the storms congealed and intensified, and they produced extremely heavy rain with peak rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour.  Several weather spotter and gage reports from around Anthem indicated that 3 inches or more of rain fell within 3 hours ending around 7 pm. The heavy rain led to episodes of flash flooding. According to the Anthem Fire Department/Rescue unit, as of 630 pm the Anthem Recreational Park had been flooded.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 19:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including the community of Anthem, during the afternoon hours on July 31st. As the afternoon progressed, the storms congealed and intensified, and they produced extremely heavy rain with peak rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour. One weather observer in Anthem measured over 5 inches of rain within 90 minutes ending about 630 pm. The heavy rain caused the Deadman Wash in Anthem to run heavily, and then flood within the town itself. The floodwaters then moved downstream to the southwest of Anthem, and to the west of Interstate 17. Eventually the floodwaters reached the Carefree Highway and the swiftly flowing water trapped a number of unsuspecting motorists. Reports received from local broadcast media indicated that a number of swift water rescues were needed where Deadman Wash crossed the Carefree Highway. At about 830 pm, 9 persons were rescued including one infant. Helicopters were used in the rescue process. Footage of the rescues was shown on local television channels during the evening news.

Heavy Rain in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 16:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Isolated thunderstorms developed in the northern portions of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. As the afternoon progressed, the storms congealed and intensified. As the storms grew stronger they produced very heavy rain in the Anthem area. The rain led to episodes of flash flooding. At 6 pm a weather observer in the CoCoRaHS network measured 5.02 inches of rain which occurred in the past 90 minutes.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 31-JUL-12 17:30:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Isolated strong thunderstorms developed across the northern portions of the greater  Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 31st. During the late afternoon the storms congealed and intensified in the Anthem area, and they produced excessive rainfall which led to episodes of flash flooding. Radar indicated that peak rainfall rates were in excess of 3 inches per hour, and one weather observer measured more than 5 inches of rain within 90 minutes. According to the Anthem Fire Department and Rescue, the heavy rain filled up the Deadman Wash drainages in town and overflowed, leading to severe flooding in a number of homes. Much of the flooding occurred between 6 pm and 7 pm. At about 610 pm flood waters backing up in the wash overtopped a brick wall behind a home causing the wall to collapse. Flood waters then poured into the home, located at 40715 North Erickson Lane, causing severe flood damage. As the wall collapsed, the flood waters slammed into the homeonwner, carrying her across the yard and causing injuries to her.