Scattered thunderstorms developed across much of La Paz county during the afternoon and evening hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, many of the storms produced locally heavy rainfall which led to periods of flash flooding. Radar indicated that rainfall totals in excess of 2 inches occurred with some of the stronger storms, and the excessive rain caused washes to flow heavily, water to flow over roads and highways, and significant street flooding. Some communities affected included Bouse and Quartzsite. In addition, isolated thunderstorms generated wet microbursts, which produced gusty and damaging winds in the Quartzsite area.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA PAZ, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-12 13:53:00 to 14-JUL-12 13:53:00 (MST-7)
Location: QUARTZSITE ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Scattered thunderstorms developed across La Paz county during the early afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the wet and unstable nature of the airmass, most of the storms produced heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. A few storms managed to produce wet microbursts, leading to gusty and damaging winds. According to APS, an Arizona utility company, gusty winds downed several power poles along Highway 95 north of Quartzsite at about 2 pm. One pole was downed 5 miles to the north, and an additional two were downed 8 miles to the north. Peak wind gusts were estimated to be at least 50 knots.

Flash Flood in LA PAZ, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-12 14:00:00 to 14-JUL-12 18:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: QUARTZITE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed across portions of La Paz county, starting in the late morning and continuing through the afternoon hours. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, many storms produced heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. Radar indicated that 2 to 3 inches of rain, or more, had fallen in the area around Quartzside and Brenda beginning late in the morning and continuing into the middle of the afternoon. The rain led to the closure of highway 95 at Quartzsite at about 2 pm. At 430 pm, a trained spotter 1 mile west of Quartzside reported that numerous washes in town were running heavily, and many streets were closed due to high water.

Flash Flood in LA PAZ, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-12 14:00:00 to 14-JUL-12 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: BOUSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across portions of La Paz county, including the area around Bouse, during the late morning hours and they continued through the afternoon. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms produced heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. Flash flood warnings were in effect for central La Paz county, including Bouse, beginning at 1238 pm and continued through the afternoon. At 310 pm, a trained weather spotter 1 mile south of Bouse reported that the Bouse wash was running heavily and flooding.

Flash Flood in LA PAZ, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-12 15:00:00 to 14-JUL-12 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: WALL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed across much of La Paz county, including the area around Bouse, during the late morning hours on July 14th, and they continued through the afternoon hours. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms produced heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. Flash flood warning were in effect for central La Paz county, including Bouse, from 1238 pm through the late afternoon. At 5 pm, fire department and rescue personnel reported flash flooding along Highway 72, forcing the closure of the road at mile marker 12 due to water flowing across the roadway.

Flash Flood in LA PAZ, ARIZONA
From 14-JUL-12 12:30:00 to 14-JUL-12 17:36:00 (MST-7)
Location: QUARTZSITE ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Scattered thunderstorms developed across La Paz county during the late morning and afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the many of the storms generated heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. Thunderstorms developed in the area around Quartzsite late in the morning; as of 130 pm radar estimated that 2 to 3 inches of rain had fallen since 1130 am.  According to Arizona Department of Transportation, at 2 pm state highway 95 was closed at mile post 113.5 due to flooding. This location was in the town of Quartzsite.