Monsoon weather brings flooding to Phoenix area

East Valley drenched in early monsoon rains

FOX 10's Nicole Garcia has the latest after heavy rains caused flooding in roads across the East Valley.

PHOENIX - A new round of monsoon storms made its way across the Valley just one day after storms flooded roadways across the state.

Streets turned into rivers early Wednesday morning, with some intersections ankle-deep in floodwaters. There haven't been many reports of major damage, but video from across the East Valley showed drivers trying to maneuver through flooded streets and ponds of water.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for the Fountain Hills area until 2:15 p.m. A similar warning for Apache Junction expires at 12:15 p.m.

Residents and drivers in the area should expect to see some flooded roadways, and officials advise moving to higher ground in case of emergencies.

East Valley seeing another round of monsoon weather

For the second morning in a row, the Valley is seeing some heavy rain and storms. FOX 10's Troy Hayden and Syleste Rodriguez take a look at the latest traffic and weather conditions.

Drivers on Loop 202 were advised to drive carefully due to limited visibility and slick roads, as the Mesa area has also seen some heavy rain this morning.

Flooding in Queen Creek caused splash pads, baseball fields and skateparks to temporarily close.

Flooding in the East Valley as storms hit Phoenix area

A Flash Flood Warning was also in effect for the Tonto Basin area until 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, flooding and debris from storm runoff on Wednesday closed a 17.5-mile (12-kilometer) stretch of U.S. 60 between Superior and Miami in east-central Arizona, authorities said.

The highway segment was closed as numerous storm cells paraded across the region, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flood advisories in areas near Casa Grande, Fountain Hills, Maricopa, Apache Junction and Coolidge.

"Be aware that areas of flooding may cause significant inconvenience. Use extreme caution on roads. Do not walk or drive through flooded streets or around barricades," one advisory stated.

Road Conditions

Call 511 anywhere in Arizona or 1-888-411-ROAD (7623)
az511.com

Rain/flood safety tips

The American Red Cross' tips for heavy rain situations and flood safety:

Turnaround don’t drown! If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way.
If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
Tune in to your local radio, NOAA radio, or news channels for the latest updates.
If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate quickly.
Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe.
If power lines are down, do not step in puddles or standing water.
If power is out, use a flashlight. Do not use any open flame as alternate lighting.

Preparing for a severe thunderstorm

The American Red Cross' tips for preparing for a severe thunderstorm:

Put together an emergency kit.
Know your community’s evacuation plan.
Create a household disaster plan and practice it.
Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Discuss thunderstorm safety with members of your household. Be aware that a thunderstorm could produce flooding.
Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be a place where there are no windows, skylights, or glass doors, which could be broken by strong winds or hail and cause damage or injury.