A moist and unstable air mass over eastern Washington produced scattered slow moving heavy rain bearing thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 16th. Rainfall rates up to 0.9 inches in 20 minutes were observed with rainfall totals around one inch between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM in and around downtown Spokane. Lesser amounts were observed outside of this area.
The most intense storm occurred between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM over the the downtown commercial district and north Spokane residential area and produced widespread urban flooding which severely disrupted the evening commute with impassable or restricted intersections from deep ponding of water on the roads. Emergency crews made several water rescues of stranded motorists from cars stalled in 8 to 12 inches of water at one intersection in north Spokane.
A funnel cloud was photographed by a member of the public from another nearby thunderstorm earlier in the afternoon.

Funnel Cloud in LINCOLN, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 14:10:00 to 16-MAY-19 14:20:00 (PST-8)
Location: EDWALL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public photographed a small funnel cloud north of Interstate 90 over uninhabited land in Lincoln County near the border with Spokane County.

Debris Flow in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 17-MAY-19 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: GEORGE WRIGHT AFB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Mud and rocks washed down a ravine onto TJ Meenach Drive disrupting traffic and causing the closure of the road through the night as crews cleaned up the debris.

Flood in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 14:30:00 to 16-MAY-19 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LINWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Water over a foot deep at the intersection of Francis Road and Cannon street stalled cars in the intersection and disrupted traffic.

Flood in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 17-MAY-19 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SPOKANE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Walnut Street Interstate 90 on ramp was closed through the night due to flood waters and debris on the ramp and adjacent intersection.

Flood in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 16-MAY-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LINWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Heavy rain caused flooding of hallways at Rogers High School.

Flood in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 16-MAY-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SPOKANE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Heavy rain caused water in hallways and flooding through basement windows at an apartment complex.

Flood in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
From 16-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 16-MAY-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SPOKANE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Heavy rain caused flooding in stairwells and onto the stage at the Martin Woldson Fox Theater. The front entrance area was also inundated and caused the cancellation of a scheduled concert.