Scattered thunderstorms developed across the deserts of south central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, during the afternoon hours on July 29th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall with rainfall rates in excess of 1.5 inches per hour. The excessive rain led to episodes of flash flooding, primarily in the southeast portions of the Phoenix area, and unfortunately led to the death of a 2 year old boy who was swept down a flooded wash in Queen Creek.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-12 20:00:00 to 29-JUL-12 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: SIL MURK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southwestern Maricopa county during the evening hours on July 29th, and produced locally heavy rain in the area around Gila Bend. Radar indicated that rainfall rates were well in excess of 1 inch per hour, and the heavy rain prompted the issuance of an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory for the Gila Bend area at 807 pm. According to the Gila Bend Fire Department, at 1020 pm, a swift water rescue was needed when 5 children became stuck in the middle of a flooded wash at 307th Avenue and Watermelon Road. The report was obtained via  a Twitter feed.

Heavy Rain in PINAL, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-12 16:45:00 to 29-JUL-12 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: MAGMA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered thunderstorms developed across the deserts of south central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix area, during the afternoon hours on July 29th. Some of the heaviest rainfall occurred in the southeast valley communities, and the excessive rain led to episodes of urban flooding as well as flash flooding. At 445 pm a trained weather spotter 5 miles northeast of San Tan Valley reported 0.85 inches of rain within 40 minutes. At about the same time a spotter 5 miles southeast of Magma reported one half inch of rain within 17 minutes. The heavy rain led to flash flooding; at 5 pm a flash flood warning was issued for southeast portions of the greater Phoenix area.

Flash Flood in PINAL, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-12 17:05:00 to 29-JUL-12 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: BAPCHULE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southeastern portions of the greater Phoenix area, including the community of San Tan Valley, during the afternoon hours on July 29th. The storms produced locally heavy rainfall with rain rates in excess of 1.5 inches per hour. The heavy rain led to episodes of both urban flooding and flash flooding. According to a trained spotter located 2 miles southeast of San Tan Mountain, a number of roads in the area were closed at 5 pm due to flash flooding. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for a number of southeast valley communities at 5 pm. Additionally, at 541 pm there was a report by Arizona Department of Transportation about road closures at Riggs Road and Interstate 10, and Riggs at Highway 347 due to flooding. At about 5 pm it was reported that the Hunt Highway was impassable at Gary. No injuries were reported due to the reported flash flooding.

Flash Flood in PINAL, ARIZONA
From 29-JUL-12 17:00:00 to 29-JUL-12 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: BAPCHULE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Strong thunderstorms developed across the southeast portions of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 29th. Due to the very humid and unstable nature of the airmass, the storms were able to produce locally heavy rainfall with rates in excess of 2 inches per hour. The rains led to flash flooding; at about 5 pm a Flash Flood Warning was issued for the southeast valley including the community of San Tan Valley. According to the Pinal County Fire Department/Rescue, at 620 pm a 2 year boy died after he was swept down a flooded wash that ran behind his San Tan Valley home. A citizen on an ATV found the child and brought him to emergency crews, who performed CPR on the boy before taking him to Banner Ironwood Hospital. He died later that evening.