Tornado and Flash Flooding in Arizona, July 5 to 29, 1999

Three U.S. Forest Service firefighters were stunned or paralyzed for a few minutes as lightning hit the ground near them. They also suffered some burns on the feet and shoulders.

Numerous sightings from Florence and Florence Jct as considerable dust and debris was carried aloft.

Very strong winds downed trees and power poles. Although no injuries were reported, 20 wooden power poles supporting 69,000 volt power lines snapped in Fountain Hills, according to SRP crews.

The widespread dust storm sharply reduced visibility along Interstate 10, about 7 miles northeast of Casa Grande. One motorist was killed as a series of wrecks were reported in a 25-mile section of the freeway.

Winds blew down trees, power lines and traffic lights in parts of the East Valley. Blowing dust cut the visibility at Sky Harbor airport, delaying up to 50 flights. Many streets flooded and 3 motorists in Sun City were rescued. SRP reported 20 power poles down.

Lightning triggered a house fire in the 8300 block of N. Via Mia.

Trees uprooted in Stanfield, dust storm with near zero visibility in dust and rain near Stanfield.

Widespread area of very strong winds, damaged homes and cut power to at least 11,500 customers around the metropolitan area. Trees and limbs were downed. Official winds to 57 mph were clocked at 43rd Ave and lower Buckeye Road. President Clinton, arrived in Phoenix just before the blinding dust storm moved in. There were delays of up to 90 minutes at the airport. Numerous streets were floodedincluding streets in Scottsdale, Laveen, Ahwatukee, and Tatun Blvd. No serious injuries reported.

An entire line of power poles down along McDowell Road between Longmore and Dobson roads.

Very heavy rains left washes running in parts of the county.

Power lines down.

Winds and dense blowing dust moved through the area. About 12 power poles were downed along highway 87 just north of Coolidge. Homes were damaged in Hidden Valley, west of Casa Grande.

High winds tore off a portion of a roof and pushed over a camper on Van Buren Street east of Palo Verde Road. In addition, power poles were blown down just outside of Buckeye.

The peak gust of 67 mph occurred at Williams Gateway Airport at 1147 MST.

Small trees and branches down.

Major storm hit most of the Phoenix metropolitan area with numerous reports of street flooding. At least a half-dozen swift-water rescues, including a dramatic rescue by MCSO helicopter covered by local TV. No major injuries. Freeways and other major roads flooded. Three elderly south Phoenix women momentarily were trapped when their mobile home collapsed in driving rain. The roof of a major business collapsed in Phoenix.

Very heavy rainfall, up to 2.25 per hour hit this area. Widespread damage due to high water in many areas of Northwest Pinal County.

Trees and power poles downed.. Numerous reports of street flooding.

A home in the 3800 block of East San Remo in east Gilbert was struck by lightning causing a 2 foot hole in the concrete shingles on the roof. No fire was involved but most electrical appliances were damaged.

Much of southern Gila County hit by torrential rains. Numerous people stranded around the county.

Showers and thunderstorms developed over a wide area between Wickenburg and Phoenix with streets and roads flooded. One spotter in Waddell, west of Luke AFB had nearly an inch in only 45 minutes.

Very heavy rain caused rock slides and mud slides in El Capitan Canyon along route 77.

Dime size hail reported by spotter.

Power lines and power poles down in Miami.

Six power poles down, mobile home demolished. The winds ripped the roof off the mobile home and threw it into the muddy street, in the 4600 block of Delaware Street. About 2,500 homes in Apache Junction and Queen Creek lost power during the height of the storm. Additional damage was reported in the 4700 block of North Gold Drive.

Widespread street flooding led to several water rescues.

Power poles damaged at 7th Ave and Fillmore. Numerous water rescues due to flooded streets and washes running. Flights at Sky Harbor airport were delayed about a half hour.

Power lines snapped.

Buildings damaged or destroyed. One mobile home was tossed about 30 feet down an embankment.

Widespread damage due to 3 inches of rainfall in about one hour. Washes flooded in most areas, with one swift-water rescue of a motorist in the Central Heights area. State route 88 to Roosevelt Lake at Wheatfields was closed due to high water going over the road.

Man suffered minor injuries from a lightning bolt.

Lightning struck and killed a motorcyclist and injured another near Bartlett Dam.

Unknown number of power poles and lines down.

Streets and roads flooded with rains of an inch per hour.

Streets and roads flooded with about 1.5 inches of rain per hour.

Rainfall of 2.26 inches reported at Boyce Thompson arboretum near Superior. Silver King wash flooded. Pea size hail also reported. Highway 60 briefly closed at MP 232 due to rock slide. Water covered route 60 near Queen Valley.