Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Arizona, July 14, 2012

Name: Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Arizona, July 14, 2012
Start: 2012-07-14T14:00
End: 2012-07-14T20:00
Location: Arizona

July 14, 2012 · NWS PSR · 8 events in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $145,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PSR wrote it up.

Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across the south central Arizona deserts during the afternoon hours on the 14th, and they continued into the evening. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms produced locally heavy rainfall which led to episodes of flash flooding or flooding. Radar and rain gages indicated that rainfall rates exceeded 3 inches per hour at times. A few of the storms produced wet microbursts with damaging wind in excess of 60 mph. Much of the heavy rain and flash flooding affected the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, especially the southeastern portions.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 14, 9:30 AM MST, 4 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 14, 9:30 AM MST, 4 hours 30 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
930 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

.SYNOPSIS...
MONSOONAL MOISTURE WILL PERSIST ACROSS THE DESERT
SOUTHWEST...RESULTING IN ABOVE AVERAGE RAIN CHANCES THROUGH MONDAY.
A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM ACROSS THE WESTERN STATES WILL BRING DRIER
CONDITIONS AND A CONTINUATION OF THE BELOW-AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
THROUGH MIDWEEK. BELOW-AVERAGE RAIN CHANCES WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE
END OF THE WEEK...THOUGH A WARMING TREND IS EXPECTED AS HIGH
PRESSURE BUILDS WESTWARD AND TOWARDS THE ROCKIES.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS AND WV SATELLITE INTERPRETATION SUGGESTS THE
PRIMARY TROUGH AXIS HAS MOVED INTO FAR SERN CALIFORNIA THIS MORNING
WITH A PLUME OF DEEP MOISTURE STREAMING NORTH THROUGH ARIZONA.
ELEVATED ACCAS SHRA/TSRA HAVE PRIMARILY LIFTED INTO NORTHERN ARIZONA
WITHIN THE REGION OF BETTER DIFLUENCE ALOFT...THOUGH LINGERING
SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MORNING THROUGH
MARICOPA AND PINAL COUNTIES.

REGIONAL 12Z SOUNDING DATA SHOWED VERY MOIST ATMOSPHERIC PROFILES
(PWATS AROUND 2.0 INCHES) WITH NEARLY MOIST ADIABATIC LAPSE RATES
THROUGH THE COLUMN...POTENTIALLY LARGE SUBCLOUD LAYERS ABOVE
FREEZING...AND LITTLE CONVECTIVE INHIBITION. DEEP UNIDIRECTIONAL
SOUTHERLY FLOW IN THIS ENVIRONMENT MAY AID IN TRAINING ECHOES AND
POTENTIAL FLOODING RAINFALL ONCE AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
ALREADY THIS MORNING...MLCAPES AOA 1500 J/KG WERE WIDESPREAD ACROSS
SRN ARIZONA JUXTAPOSED WITH THE HIGHER PWAT REGION...AND AHEAD OF
THE APPROACHING COLD CORE ALOFT. ONE UPPER LEVEL DIFLUENT REGION HAS
SHIFTED INTO SRN NEVADA/FAR NWRN ARIZONA ASSOCIATED TO THE CYCLONIC
REGION OF THE JET STREAK...WITH ANOTHER DIFLUENT AREA GROWING ACROSS
SRN ARIZONA TOWARDS THE FAVORABLE RIGHT REAR ENTRANCE REGION.
CONVECTIVE INITIATION APPEARS LIKELY IN TWO DISTINCT REGIONS 1) OVER
MOST OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA WHERE THE DEEPER MOISTURE PLUME/SUFFICIENT
INSTABILITY EXISTS...AND 2) INTO LA PAZ/YUMA COUNTIES CLOSER TO THE
COLD CORE AND IN A REGION OF STRONG INSOLATION WITH AMPLE MOISTURE
IN THE LOW LEVELS.

HAVE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENT TO POPS THIS MORNING HIGHLIGHTING THE
MOISTURE PLUME REGION THROUGH CNTRL ARIZONA FOR THE BEST
PROBABILITIES EARLY. MADE SOME DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT TO TEMPERATURES
IN THIS AREA AS WELL...GIVEN 12Z SOUNDINGS INDICATING ONLY LOWER 90S
NEEDED FROM CONVECTIVE INITIATION. WHILE SOME STRONGER WINDS GUSTS
ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE MORE ROBUST STORMS (MORE LIKELY TO THE WEST
WITH DRYING ALOFT AND HIGHER DCAPE VALUES)...BIGGEST THREAT TODAY
WILL BE FLOODING RAINFALL.

&&

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...
VORT MAX ACROSS SOUTHERN CA IS IN THE PROCESS OF OPENING UP AND
LIFTING OUT. FURTHER EAST ACROSS AZ...THE FLOW REMAINS SOUTHERLY AND
QUITE MOIST WITH LATEST BLENDED TPW ESTIMATING BETWEEN 1.75 AND 2.0
INCHES OF PRECIPITABLE WATER. MAIN DYNAMICAL SUPPORT ACROSS THE
DESERT SOUTHWEST TODAY WILL BE IN THE FORM OF PVA AND A JET
STREAK...WITH THE STRONGEST ASCENT ACROSS SOUTHWEST AZ THIS MORNING
AND NORTH-CENTRAL AZ THIS AFTERNOON. HIGHEST POPS WILL BE TO OUR
NORTH TODAY. HOWEVER...THE LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE FLUX ANOMALY WILL
EXTEND BACK INTO SOUTH-CENTRAL AZ AND PRECIPITATION WILL BE POSSIBLE
JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE IN THE CWA. ONE AREA OF CONCERN IS ACROSS YUMA
AND LA PAZ COUNTIES STRETCHING INTO WESTERN MARICOPA COUNTY...WHERE
SOME DRIER AIR IN THE MID-LEVELS SITS ATOP SURFACE DEWPOINTS IN THE
UPPER 60S TO LOWER 70S. LOCAL WRF SUGGESTS CONVECTIVE INITIATION
WILL TAKE PLACE IN THESE AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AFTER A PERIOD OF
PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THIS MORNING. ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP
HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN AND LOCALIZED
FLOODING...ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT PICKED UP RAINFALL FRIDAY.

CYCLONIC FLOW WILL PERSIST ACROSS SOUTHERN CA SUNDAY AS A
REINFORCING TROUGH MOVES INTO THE AREA. DRIER AIR WILL WORK INTO THE
WESTERN CWA...THOUGH CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN ANOMALOUSLY MOIST ACROSS
AZ. FLOW WILL BECOME A BIT MORE SOUTHWESTERLY...WHICH WILL FAVOR THE
HIGHER TERRAIN NORTH AND EAST OF PHOENIX FOR CONVECTION. NAM-WRF IS
THE MOST AGGRESSIVE WITH THE TROUGH...SUGGESTING IT WILL DIG INTO
SOUTHERN CA AND LINGER INTO MONDAY.

MODELS ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THICKNESSES WILL TREND DOWNWARD AND
BOTTOM OUT TUESDAY AS ANOTHER STRONG VORT MAX SLIDES DOWN THE WEST
COAST. CONSEQUENTLY...TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN WELL-BELOW AVERAGE
THROUGH MIDWEEK. IT WILL TAKE UNTIL AT LEAST NEXT WEEKEND FOR THE
MONSOON HIGH TO BECOME RE-ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE WESTERN CONUS AND
POPS WERE LOWERED BELOW CLIMO FROM WEDNESDAY ONWARD.

&&

.AVIATION...
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA INCLUDING KPHX...KIWA AND KSDL...

SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE OVER THE AREA THIS
MORNING...MOVING INTO THE VICINITY OF KPHX/KIWA/KSDL TERMINALS AS
EARLY AS 14Z. SCT-BKN CLOUD DECKS GENERALLY AOA 7KFT...WITH CIGS AS
LOW AS 5000FT AGL IN HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS PERSISTING
INTO THE AFTERNOON. STORM ACTIVITY EXPECTED TO SHIFT NORTH AND EAST
BY THIS EVENING...WITH IMPROVING CONDITIONS ACROSS THE AREA.

SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA/SOUTHWEST ARIZONA INCLUDING KIPL AND KBLH...

LIGHT WINDS...AND SCATTERED CLOUD DECKS AOA 8KFT EXPECTED THIS
MORNING ACROSS SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA AND THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER
VALLEY. ATMOSPHERE SOMEWHAT STABLE AFTER LAST EVENINGS CONVECTION...
BUT ITS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION TO SEE ISOLATED SHOWERS OR A
THUNDERSTORM LATER THIS AFTERNOON...MAINLY NEAR KBLH. STORM ACTIVITY
WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT EAST...BRINGING CLEARING SKIES LATER THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AVIATION DISCUSSION NOT UPDATED FOR AMENDED TAFS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...
CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO DRY OUT NEXT WEEK WITH DECREASING CHANCES
OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. BY WEDNESDAY...ONLY SLIGHT CHANCES
ACROSS THE FAR EASTERN TERRAIN WILL REMAIN...LASTING THROUGH THE END
OF THE WEEK. MINIMUM HUMIDITIES WILL LOWER EACH DAY MONDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY FROM WEST TO EAST WITH MOST LOWER DESERT LOCATIONS SEEING
MINIMUM HUMIDITIES IN THE TEENS. OVERALL...OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES WILL
BE GOOD EACH NIGHT.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

AZ...NONE.

CA...NONE.

&&

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX IS ON THE INTERNET AT

WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX

DISCUSSION...HIRSCH/MO
AVIATION...MEYERS
FIRE WEATHER...KUHLMAN

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 14, 6:03 AM MST, 7 hours 57 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
603 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

AZZ022-023-027-028-151315-
NORTHWEST MARICOPA COUNTY-GREATER PHOENIX AREA-
SOUTHWEST MARICOPA COUNTY-NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL PINAL COUNTY-
603 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE
STRONGEST STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND
LOCALIZED FLOODING...AS WELL AS WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

A GRADUAL DRYING TREND IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK...THOUGH A FEW
AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN IN THE FORECAST
THROUGH MIDWEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

AZZ024-151315-
SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY/TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS-
603 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST-CENTRAL ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE
STRONGEST STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND
LOCALIZED FLOODING...AS WELL AS WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

SCATTERED AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN IN THE
FORECAST UNTIL AT LEAST TUESDAY. ANY OF THESE STORMS COULD PRODUCE
LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG WITH STRONG GUSTY WINDS. ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

AZZ020-021-025-026-CAZ030>033-151315-
LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-WEST CENTRAL DESERTS-
YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY-SOUTHWEST DESERTS-
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-
RIVERSIDE COUNTY/EASTERN DESERTS-IMPERIAL COUNTY-
603 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012 /603 AM PDT SAT JUL 14 2012/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHWEST
ARIZONA...EXTREME WEST-CENTRAL ARIZONA...SOUTHWEST ARIZONA...WEST-
CENTRAL ARIZONA...EXTREME SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHEAST
CALIFORNIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE
STRONGEST STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND
LOCALIZED FLOODING...AS WELL AS WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

A DRYING TREND WILL BEGIN SUNDAY. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS GENERALLY NOT
EXPECTED THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX IS ON THE INTERNET AT

WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 14, 8:37 AM MST, 5 hours 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
837 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 PM     FLOOD            CALIPATRIA              33.13N 115.52W
07/13/2012                   IMPERIAL           CA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOOD WATER STILL AFFECTING 24 HOMES IN CALIPATRIA.
            REPORTS OF DAMAGE TO HIGHLINE CANAL.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PSR1200127

CJK

Special weather statement, Jul 14, 11:01 AM MST, 2 hours 59 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
1101 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

AZZ021-141845-
LA PAZ AZ-
1101 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR...
  CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ARIZONA

UNTIL 1145 AM MST

AT 1100 AM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 13 MILES SOUTH OF VICKSBURG JUNCTION...MOVING
NORTH AT 10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  RURAL CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY...

LAT...LON 3366 11380 3364 11358 3344 11360 3344 11382
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 184DEG 7KT 3355 11371

KUHLMAN

Special weather statement, Jul 14, 11:52 AM MST, 2 hours 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
1152 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

AZZ021-141930-
LA PAZ AZ-
1152 AM MST SAT JUL 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR...
  CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ARIZONA

UNTIL 1230 PM MST

AT 1151 AM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTH OF BOUSE...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH
ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
   BOUSE...

LAT...LON 3399 11408 3395 11384 3367 11397 3371 11414
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 201DEG 4KT 3382 11401

MO

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 flash flood, 3 heavy rain, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Maricopa

When: July 14, 2:00 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 1.32 mi NW of Mobile to 0.34 mi NNE of Mobile
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 33.065, -112.285

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southwestern Maricopa county during the early afternoon hours on July 14th, mainly south and east of Gila Bend. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated locally heavy rainfall which led to some flash flooding. According to Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), a flash flood near Mobile resulted in the closure of Highway 238 between mileposts 0 and 38.

Heavy Rain, Maricopa

When: July 14, 3:20 PM MST to 5:45 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 1.15 mi E of Gilbert
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.350, -111.760

Numerous thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 14th, especially across the southeast valley. Due to the very moist and unstable airmass in place, most of the storms generated locally heavy rain, with the highest rain rates observed to be in excess of 2 inches per hour. According to a trained weather spotter in Gilbert, 2.25 inches of rain fell between 330 pm and 430 pm at a home located at Val Vista and Elliot roads. The heavy rain led to some street flooding at the San Tan Village Mall. Marble sized hail also occurred, along with some gusty winds that damaged a few trees in the area.

Heavy Rain, Maricopa

When: July 14, 3:30 PM MST to 5:45 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 1.35 mi WNW of Nortons Corner to 4.17 mi ESE of Twin Knolls
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.310, -111.800

Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, especially the southeastern valley communities, during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated locally heavy rainfall which led to widespread street flooding. According to a trained weather spotter 2 miles southwest of Gilbert, 1.1 inches of rain fell between 330 pm and 4 pm. Several additional weather spotters in the southeast valley, including communities such as Gilbert, Chandler and Seville, reported similar amounts of rainfall between 330 pm and 5 pm. Commonly, the reports indicated that around one inch of rain fell within a 30 minute period. For example, at 442 pm a trained spotter 2 miles west of Apache Junction reported 0.93 inches of rain measured in the past half-hour.

Flash Flood, Maricopa

When: July 14, 3:30 PM MST to 8:00 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 2.95 mi SW of Buckhorn to 2.57 mi SSW of Buckhorn
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 33.392, -111.759

Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed over the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, especially the southeast valley communities, during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated locally heavy rain which led to flooding and flash flooding across portions of the southeast valley. Heavy rain began by 3 pm or so, and a flash flood warning was issued starting at 343 pm. According to Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) personnel, the excessive rain caused four lanes of US 60 - the Superstition Freeway - to be blocked off in each direction, approximately 2 miles south of Mesa. The freeway was blocked by 430 pm and remained closed well into the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maricopa

When: July 14, 3:45 PM MST to 3:50 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 1.87 mi WNW of Higley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 33.310, -111.750

Numerous thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very wet and unstable nature of the airmass, most of the thunderstorms produced very heavy rain. A few generated wet microbursts with damaging winds. At 345 pm, a Weather Service employee reported that numerous trees had been blown down at the San Tan Village Mall in Gilbert Ranch. One of the trees was about 40 feet tall and it fell over and landed on an automobile, causing significant damage. Peak wind gusts were estimated to be about 65 knots. No injuries were reported.

Heavy Rain, Maricopa

When: July 14, 3:45 PM MST to 4:30 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 0.67 mi NW of Gilbert
Property damage: $110,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 33.356, -111.790

Numerous thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, especially the southeastern valley communities, during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated intense rainfall which led to episodes of flash flooding. Heavy rain in excess of 2 inches fell in the Gilbert area between 330 pm and 430 pm. During the peak of the heavy rainfall, approximately 1.5 inches of rain fell within 10 minutes, causing the collapse of the roof at Tees and More located at 313 North Gilbert Road. According to the store owners, Pete and Barb Addiego, the roof collapse caused at least 110 thousand dollars in damaged equipment and inventory. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maricopa

When: July 14, 4:04 PM MST to 4:10 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 2.37 mi NNW of Higley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.330, -111.740

Widespread thunderstorms developed over the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the airmass, most of the storms generated very heavy rain. However, isolated storms produced wet microbursts with damaging winds across southeastern portions of the Phoenix area. At 404 pm, a trained weather spotter located in Gilbert reported several trees down along Greenfield road between Ray and Warner roads. The largest trees were around 12 inches in diameter. Peak wind gusts were estimated to be about 65 knots. No injuries were reported due to the fallen trees.

Flash Flood, Maricopa

When: July 14, 4:30 PM MST to 7:00 PM MST
Where: Maricopa County, 5.03 mi N of Skyway Vlg to 5.92 mi SE of Ft McDowell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.573, -111.620

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the afternoon hours on July 14th. Due to the very moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated heavy rain which led to episodes of flash flooding. Beginning around 330 pm, flash flooding developed in the southeastern valley communties, including Gilbert and Chander, and flash flood warnings were issued. Heavy rain then developed further to the north and east, and at 5 pm there was a public report of flash flooding in Goldfield Ranch, on the eastern fringe of the Phoenix metropolitan area. A wash along the Beeline Highway was reported to be flowing rapidly, and flooding out of its banks. Fortunately, no injuries were reported due to the flash flooding.

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, July 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 388667, 388660, 388661, 388666, 388647, 389168, 388651, 389157.