While the official start of Tucson's monsoon season is June 15, it wasn't until this morning that significant rain fell across metro Tucson.
Strong thunderstorms were reported around southwest Arizona Thursday morning. Later in the morning, multiple agencies including Tucson Fire Department, Northwest Fire District and Green Valley Fire District said they were responding to swift water rescues.
Also, a Flash Flood Watch was in place through Friday for areas in the Catalina Mountains that could be affected by runoff from areas burned in the Bighorn Fire. Concerns: ponding of water on roads and washes filled with debris washed down from the mountain.
A flood watch is issued when "conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur," the National Weather Service says.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 🚨 #TucsonFire Deputy Chief Chris Conger waded over to this elderly stranded motorist to assist him in getting to dry land. Stay safe #Tucson! #TFD #hereforyou #communitysafety #safetyfirst #monsoonsafety pic.twitter.com/QRUFPmfiiF
— Tucson Fire Department (@TucsonFireDept) July 23, 2020
This photo was taken near West Fort Lowell Road near Interstate 10 on Thursday, July 23.
Flash Flood Warnings were also put into effect for areas including Catalina foothills, Oro Valley, Marana and Picture Rocks.
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is "imminent or occurring," according to the weather service.
And it begins.... ⚡️⛈💦 pic.twitter.com/OGYHsds6Dt
— Tucson Fire Department (@TucsonFireDept) July 23, 2020
The Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road is currently closed due to weather conditions, according to Pima County.
Other county road closures include:
- Bopp Road east of San Joaquin Road
- Ventana Wash at Snyder Road from Placita Ventana del Rio to Scenic Mountain Drive
- Camino Verde south of Kay Lynn Drive
- Old Ajo Way west of San Joaquin Road
- Mission Road North of Duval Mine Road
- Snyder Hill Rd west of Desert Sunrise Trail
For more information, call PCSD's road condition phone number at 547-7510.
In Marana, West Emigh Road near North Sanders and North Sandario roads is closed due to flooding.
Monsoon is here! We are experiencing some flooding in some places around the shelter but the pets are nice and dry! Check out how cozy they all look. (All outdoor access is being closed off until the rain stops and the flooding recedes.) pic.twitter.com/MGc1I3FlSq
— Pima Animal Care (@PimaAnimalCare) July 23, 2020
Video: Yesterday's flash flood carries runoff from Tucson's Bighorn Fire
A flash flood hit the Cañada del Oro Wash near Edwin Road in July 2020, during the burning of the massive Bighorn Fire in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The flash flood carried burned debris and runoff from the fire.
Video: Rillito River north of Tucson Mall today
The Tucson Fire Department said multiple agencies were responding to a swift water call along the Rillito River north of Tucson Mall on Thursday morning. The Northwest Fire District and Green Valley Fire District said they were also responding to several swift water rescues. More weather updates: http://tucne.ws/1fgo
Video: Watch today's storm roll in at the University of Arizona
The University of Arizona's and Atmospheric Sciences presents a video of today's storm moving in. Courtesy of the University of Arizona.
Video: Flash flood coming off burned areas of the Catalinas in Cañada del Oro Wash last week
Wildfires such as the Bighorn Fire north of Tucson leave the ground charred and unable to absorb water, which can increase flood risks. “Even a light rain can produce devastating flash floods and mudflows, often with little warning,” Pima County officials warned. In this July 2020 video, a debris flow oozes down the Cañada del Oro Wash.
