Copious amounts of tropical moisture spread northward and into south-central Arizona during the morning hours on September 23rd. The moisture combined with a strong upper low west of Phoenix to generate widespread showers and thunderstorms. Many of the stronger storms produced intense rainfall with peak rain rates between one and two inches per hour. Initially the heavy rain led to episodes of flash flooding south and east of Phoenix, but by afternoon the flooding spread into areas north of Phoenix. Episodes of flash flooding occurred east of Interstate 17 and north of the Carefree Highway and impacted locations around the town of New River. At about 1300MST flash flooding caused a family in New River to be evacuated from their home. A few minutes later, flash flooding 7 miles west of Cave Creek necessitated a water rescue. Additionally, a stream gage in Skunk Creek 3 miles east of New River exceeded its alarm stage shortly after noon. Multiple Flash Flood Warnings were issued during the day and fortunately no injuries were reported due to the flooding. In 2020, the Arizona Department of Transportation was awarded $10.7 million from the Federal Highway Administration to support the repair of roads and bridges damaged due to the numerous flash flooding events that occurred across Arizona on the 23rd.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 23-SEP-19 12:30:00 to 23-SEP-19 16:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: CAVE CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Copious amounts of tropical moisture spread north and into south central Arizona during the morning hours on September 23rd, resulting in the development of numerous showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms produced very heavy rain with peak rain rates approaching 2 inches per hour. The rain led to an episode of flash flooding to the north of Phoenix during the early afternoon. According to local broadcast media, at 1319MST flash flooding occurred near the intersection of Cloud Road and 7th street, about 7 miles west of Cave Creek and just a bit north of the Carefree Highway. The flooding necessitated a water rescue, fortunately no injuries were reported. A Flash Flood Warning was issued at 1304MST but for an area slightly north of where the water rescue was reported.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 23-SEP-19 12:00:00 to 23-SEP-19 16:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Copious amounts of moisture spread north and into south-central Arizona during the morning hours on September 23rd, leading to the development of numerous showers and thunderstorms to the north of central Phoenix. Some of the stronger storms generated intense rain with peak rain rates approaching 2 inches per hour. The heavy rain led to episodes of flash flooding that occurred east of Interstate 17 and generally east of the town of New River. The flash flooding episodes took place during the early afternoon. At about 1230MST the Skunk Creek flood gauge 3 miles east of New River recorded at peak height of 5.01 feet which exceeded the alarm stage of 2.4 feet. At 1306MST, local broadcast media reported that flash flooding in New River caused a family to be evacuated from their home. Finally, at 1316MST, data from a Maricopa County Flood Control District gauge indicated that flash flooding was occurring along Cline Creek as rapidly rising water inundated various low water crossings in the area. The gauge was located roughly 4 miles southeast of New River. Multiple Flash Flood Warnings were issued for the area during the afternoon and were in effect during most of the flash flood reports. There were no reports of injuries due to flash flooding.