Flooding and Hail in Arizona, August 10 to 31, 1999

Microburst winds and heavy rain developed over much of north Phoenix around 430 pm. As many as 20 power poles were downed by the high winds, and torrential rain near Rose Garden Lane between 19th and 25th avenues. This left a half-dozen people trapped in their vehicles, but no injuries. At least 17,000 customers were left without power. One motorist escaped injury when steel construction beams were blown onto his vehicle at a freeway construction site at Beardsley and 23rd Avenue. A large moving truck was toppled onto its side by high winds at 19th Avenue and Deer Valley Road..

Dime size hail reported at 7th Street and Union Hills.

Thunderstorms moved through east Mesa with high winds and rain. At least 20 power poles were reported down with most damage near 80th Street and Southern. Occupants of seven vehicles were trapped in their cars and had to be rescued. Two individuals suffered minor injuries.

Winds snapped off large branches .

Thunderstorm winds took down about ten power poles and blew the roof off a mobile home.

Lightning struck a home in Gilbert resulting in a fire that destroyed the luxury dwelling.

Dense blowing dust and blowing sand accompanied strong winds and heavy rain in much of the metropolitan area. At least one air conditioner was blown from a roof in Phoenix. Flights in and out of Sky Harbor airport were delayed by as much as 90 minutes during the height of the storm. Near zero visibility was reported with winds of 45 mph.

Strong winds blew three large concrete walls down at a construction site near 30th Street and Broadway.Winds kicked up dust and sand which lowered visibility to less than 1/4 mile in many areas.

Microburst winds peaked at 69 mph from FAA wind data at Sky Harbor airport. The nearby ASOS METAR report indicated a peak wind of 49 mph along with a temperature that jumped from 36 to 38C.

Torrential rain, hail and high wind swept through mainly the west Phoenix area. The remnants of hurricane Bret left as much as 2.35 inches of rain in half an hour at 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road. Several sections of a roof at the Desert Sky Mall collapsed due to the microburst wind and rain. No injuries were reported, although several thousand people had to be evacuated. Sections of the roof collapsed just 10 minutes after the evacuations. Numerous power poles were downed between 33rd Ave and 83rd Ave. Department of Public Safety shut down I-10 for about 3 hours after power lines fell. Major street flooding was also reported, and Phoenix firefighters rescued two motorists from flooded washes in the 9000 block of N. 11th Street and 1200 block of E. Cheryl Drive. About 50 flights from Sky Harbor airport were delayed up to 2 hours due to rain and wind..

Showers and thunderstorms moved through much of southern Gila County resulting to running washes and street flooding.

Winds took down a few trees at Sun City golf courses. Small hail and heavy rain was also reported in the area.

A torrential rainstorm in east Globe had Pinal Creek running from bank to bank and highway 60 flooded in spots.

A large area of the East Valley experienced high winds and heavy rain. Williams Gateway airport traffic controllers evacuated the tower during very strong winds that peaked at 83 mph at 1:49 pm MST. A nearby fire station roof was damaged by the wind. Roof damage was reported at the VF Factory Outlet stores in Mesa with subsequent water damage. At least one residence in the 1800 block of S. 74th Street was damaged. A number of trailer homes had roof damage. Four people were injured on US 60 east of Greenfield Road involving at least 4 vehicles Department of Public Safety closed the road for about two hours. Rain totals included 1.89 inches in east Mesa and .98 inch in Fountain Hills.

A 21 year-old woman near Williams Gateway airport received a shock from lightning as she spoke on the telephone.

Rainfall exceeded one inch per half hour in parts of the east valley, resulting in street flooding.

A Gilbert backhoe driver in the 100 block of E. Guadalupe Road was injured and treated for minor injuries when his machinery was struck by lightning.

A worker was struck by lightning while installing an air conditioner in a new home in Sun Lakes.