Phoenix, Ariz. – Streets in parts of Phoenix and the West Valley are underwater late Thursday night as a series of intense thunderstorms triggers dangerous flash flooding across Maricopa and Yavapai counties. Law enforcement and trained spotters report high water on Interstate 17 near Happy Valley Road, with conditions expected to remain hazardous until at least early Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Phoenix, between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen in several areas, with some locations expected to see another half-inch before storms fully clear. The heaviest impacts are being felt in Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Anthem, where underpasses and low-lying streets have flooded.
The Weather Service office in Flagstaff issued a separate warning for Yavapai County, including Castle Hot Springs and Lake Pleasant, where swollen creeks and washes are flooding trails, dirt roads, and access points to the lake. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded crossings, especially at night when water depth is harder to gauge.
Officials warn the flood threat will ease by daybreak, but saturated ground and debris on roads may create hazards during the Friday morning commute.
