Flash Flooding and Flood in Arizona, September 8, 2014

Name: Flash Flooding and Flood in Arizona, September 8, 2014
Start: 2014-09-08T09:19
End: 2014-09-08T23:30
Location: Arizona

September 8, 2014 · NWS TWC · 5 events in 3 counties and zones

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: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $47,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

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 TWC wrote it up.

Moisture associated with Tropical Depression Norbert, once rated as strong as a Category 3 hurricane, contributed to very heavy rainfall across southeast Arizona during the morning and early afternoon hours of September 8th. Precipitable water values of 2.03 inches were noted on the 12z KTUS sounding. Rainfall amounts on September 8th totaled 1.5-2.5 over a large portion of northeast Pima and southern Pinal Counties. Amounts of 2.5 to 4.5 of rain fell along western portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains and adjacent areas of the Catalina Foothills, Casas Adobes, Oro Valley, Catalina and Oracle. The rainfall total at the Tucson International Airport for the 8th was 1.84 , a calendar day record. Flash flooding in and around the Tucson Metro area was extensive with numerous swift water rescues occurring. Two separate instances of motorists driving into water which was rapidly flowing across roadways resulted in two fatalities. Larger river channels experienced high flows through the afternoon and evening, including the Rillito River, Ca ada del Oro Wash and Santa Cruz River.

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 Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 8, 3:36 AM MST, 5 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 8, 3:36 AM MST, 5 hours 43 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
336 AM MST MON SEP 8 2014

.SYNOPSIS...SCATTERED SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN COVERAGE
AND INTENSITY TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL
PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN. MOISTURE WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH ON WESTERLY FLOW
TUESDAY ONWARD FOR A BRIEF DRY PERIOD FROM LATE WEDNESDAY THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY WITH AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES RISING BACK TO NORMAL
LEVELS DURING THAT TIME. LOW END RAIN CHANCES WILL RETURN LATE NEXT
WEEK AND INTO THE WEEKEND...BUT MAINLY EAST OF TUCSON.

&&

.DISCUSSION...NORBERT HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO JUST A POST-TROPICAL
CYCLONE...WITH THE LATEST POSITION AS OF 2 AM PDT/MST NEAR 27.4 DEG
N; 118.3 DEGS W. THE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE IN INTENSITY
DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS BECOMING JUST A REMNANT LOW OFF THE WEST
COAST OF THE NORTH CENTRAL BAJA PENINSULA AS IT MAKES A HARD TURN TO
THE EAST ON TUESDAY.

NEEDLESS TO SAY...THE FORECAST PROCESS DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS HAS
BEEN A CHALLENGE AND CONTINUES TO BE THIS MORNING. WATER VAPOR
IMAGERY SHOWS HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED TO OUR SOUTH OVER NORTHERN
MEXICO WITH WESTERLY WINDS ALOFT OVER MUCH OF ARIZONA. MEANWHILE...
FLOW IN THE LOWER TO MID LEVELS IS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AND WILL
BECOME SOUTHERLY AS THE DAY PROGRESSES. YESTERDAY EVENINGS KTWC
SOUNDING INDICATED A PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUE OF 1.60 INCHES. THE
LATEST SATELLITE DERIVED BLENDED TOTAL PRECIPITABLE WATER IMAGERY
SHOWS VALUES JUST OVER THE 1 INCH MARK FOR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS AND
INCREASING TO ABOVE THE 2 INCH MARK FOR THE WESTERN DESERTS OF PIMA
COUNTY...WHICH INCLUDES THE TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION...AJO AND ALSO THE
YUMA AREA...INCLUDING MUCH OF THE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AS FAR NORTH
AS NEEDLES CALIFORNIA.

THE LATEST IR SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS EXTENSIVE LOW TO MID LEVEL
CLOUDINESS COVERING A LARGE PART OF SOUTHEAST ARIZONA AND EXTENDING
NORTHWEST THROUGH THE PHOENIX AREA AND TOWARDS SOUTHERN NEVADA.
RADAR MOSAIC FROM THE PAST 3 TO 4 HOURS HAS BEEN SHOWING INCREASING
SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY BETWEEN THE NORTHERN FRINGES OF MY
FORECAST AREA FROM PINAL COUNTY INTO THE HEART OF MARICOPA COUNTY
AND NORTHWEST FROM THERE TO NEAR WICKENBURG...PRESCOTT AND LAKE
HAVASU CITY. PREVIOUS MODEL RUNS HAVE SHOWN CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES
RECENTLY WITH REGARD TO QPF VALUES...WITH THE NAM BEING MUCH MORE
AGGRESSIVE THAN SOME OF THE OTHER MODELS. THE 00Z RUN DID NOT
INITIALIZED VERY WELL AND WAS SHOWING A 2.5 INCH BULLSEYE OF QPF
BETWEEN 08/00Z-08/06Z NEAR NOGALES...WHICH DID NOT MATERIALIZE. THE
08/06Z NAM IS MUCH TAMER THAN THE PREVIOUS RUN...BUT STILL THE
OUTLIER WITH RESPECT TO AMOUNTS AND LOCATIONS OF QPF. AT THIS POINT
A BLEND OF THE GFS AND ECMWF SEEMS MORE REASONABLE GIVEN THAT THEY
ARE FOCUSED ON THE CURRENT RADAR TRENDS AT LEAST. ONE CAVEAT TO THIS
IS THAT THE SHOWERS AND STORMS IN THE PHOENIX AREA THIS MORNING HAVE
BEEN VERY HEAVY RAINERS...WITH ONE SPOTTER IN THE AREA REPORTING
0.75 INCHES OF RAIN IN 10 MINUTES NEAR MESA DR. & 8TH ST. JUST AFTER
3 AM...NOT TO MENTION SOME WATER OVER SOME OF THE ROADWAYS IN THE
PHOENIX METRO.

AS THE WINDS BECOME MORE SOUTHERLY TODAY...EXPECT TO SEE STORMS FIRE
OFF IN THE JUICY AIRMASS OVER THE REGION WITH STORMS FILLING IN OVER
WESTERN PORTIONS OF PIMA COUNTY EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH CONVECTION
INCREASING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WILL KEEP THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH GOING
STARTING MID MORNING AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE LATE EVENING HOURS
TONIGHT. DAY SHIFT CAN REVISIT WHETHER PARTS OF THE WATCH CAN BE
REMOVED GIVEN THE SATELLITE AND RADAR TRENDS DURING THEIR SHIFT.

AS THE PACIFIC TROUGH CONTINUES TO MAKE ITS WAY TOWARD THE WEST
COAST AND EVENTUALLY TOWARD WESTERN ARIZONA BY LATE TUESDAY...WE
WILL HANG ON TO LINGERING RAIN CHANCES TUESDAY...ALTHOUGH GENERALLY
JUST SCATTERED TYPE POPS AND MAINLY EAST OF TUCSON TOWARD NEW
MEXICO.

A CONTINUED SLIGHT THREAT FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AS
THE TROUGH AXIS CONTINUES TO BE DRAPED ACROSS NORTHERN NEW MEXICO
AND NORTHERN ARIZONA AND TOWARD NORTHERN BAJA.

BY THURSDAY THE RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO BE CENTERED NEAR THE COAST OF
LOUISIANA WITH THE RIDGE AXIS EXTENDING WEST TOWARD NORTHERN SONORA
AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARIZONA...WHICH SHOULD KEEP OUR THUNDERSTORM
THREAT IN JUST THE SLIGHT CHANCE CATEGORY.

BY FRIDAY AND INTO THE WEEKEND MOISTURE SHOULD INCREASE AGAIN AS A
LONG FETCH OF SOUTHEAST FLOW ON THE SOUTHERLY FLANK OF THE RIDGE
PULLS MOISTURE INTO ARIZONA DURING THAT TIME FRAME. THEREFORE...
EXPECT MOSTLY ISOLATED COVERAGE OF THUNDERSTORMS...MAINLY EAST OF
TUCSON...WITH PERHAPS A BETTER CHANCE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL GENERALLY BE BELOW NORMAL TODAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...WITH THE COOLEST DAY OCCURRING TODAY...WHEN HIGHS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 7 TO 10 DEGS BELOW NORMAL. BY WEDNESDAY HIGHS
RANGING FROM 2 TO 4 DEGS BELOW NORMAL. NEAR NORMAL HIGHS FOR
THURSDAY...THEN 1 TO 3 DEGS ABOVE NORMAL FOR FRIDAY THROUGH THE
WEEKEND. LOW TEMPS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE NORMAL THROUGHOUT THE
FORECAST PERIOD...WITH HIGHS RANGING FROM 2 TO 5 DEGS ABOVE NORMAL
EACH MORNING...ALTHOUGH THE WARMEST MORNINGS SHOULD OCCUR FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY.

&&

.AVIATION...VALID THRU 09/12Z
ISOLD-SCT -SHRA/-TSRA TIL 08/17Z THEN SCT-NUMEROUS SHRA/TSRA
EXPECTED THRU 09/02Z.  AREAS OF CEILINGS AT 5-8K FT AGL WITH
MULTIPLE LEVELS ABV.  LOCAL MVFR CEILINGS/VSBYS WITH THE STRONGER
TSRA.  SURFACE WIND GENERALLY LESS THAN 10 KTS EXCEPT GUSTY OUTFLOW
WINDS IN THE VICINITY OF THUNDERSTORMS.  AVIATION DISCUSSION NOT
UPDATED FOR TAF AMENDMENTS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...DEEP MOISTURE ACROSS THE REGION WILL MAINTAIN THE
THREAT FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH THIS
EVENING.  ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY
RAIN WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCAL FLOODING PROBLEMS.  20-FOOT WINDS
WILL GENERALLY BE LIGHT AND TERRAIN DRIVEN...EXCEPT FOR STRONG GUSTY
OUTFLOWS ASSOCIATED WITH THUNDERSTORMS.  THE DEEP MOISTURE OVER THE
REGION WILL DIMINISH TUESDAY ONWARD RESULTING IN A DECREASING THREAT
OF CONVECTION ACROSS THE AREA.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
      FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 10 AM MST THIS MORNING THROUGH MIDNIGHT
      THIS EVENING FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST ARIZONA INCLUDING AZZ501>515.

&&

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK...TWITTER...YOUTUBE...AND AT WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

PUBLIC...MOLLERE
AVIATION/FIRE WEATHER...CERNIGLIA

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 40 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Pima

When: September 8, 9:19 AM MST to 10:45 AM MST
Where: Pima County, 0.87 mi NW of (Dma)davis Monthan A to 3.45 mi NE of (Dma)davis Monthan A
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.180, -110.889

Torrential rain associated with moisture from the remnants of tropical system Norbert caused extensive flooding of Tucson's east side. Many streets were inundated with 1 to 2 feet of water, stalling numerous vehicles. Several swift water rescues occurred including the rescue of driver of a truck near Pontatoc Road and River Road. Additionally, a female driver on East Calle Betelgeux drove into the lower water crossing of Alamo Wash. Flood waters swept her car against a pedestrian bridge where it was hung up when first responders arrived. Before they could reach the woman, the current pulled the car under the bridge and under water 12 feet deep. When the car was found less than a quarter mile downstream, near 22nd Street just west of Kolb Road, the driver had drown.

Flash Flood, Pinal

When: September 8, 9:42 AM MST to 11:15 AM MST
Where: Pinal County, 2.98 mi SE of Camp Bonito to 2.58 mi SW of Oracle
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.540, -110.683

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Pinal County. Saddlebrooke Wash came out of its banks near Saddlebrooke, while several washes overflowed into the streets of Oracle, rendering them impassable.

Flash Flood, Pinal

When: September 8, 11:45 AM MST to 2:15 PM MST
Where: Pinal County, 20.06 mi SSW of Camp Bonito to 22.55 mi NW of Oracle
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.307, -110.866

Heavy rainfall from Norbert extended into the early afternoon hours. Several additional swift water rescues occurred. One occurred in the Pima Wash on Rudasill Rd between 1st Avenue and Oracle Road, where a single occupant was successfully rescued after his vehicle was swept off the road by quickly flowing water. Around the same time but further north, a swift water rescue occurred near Hardy Rd and Northern Ave in Oro Valley. Yet another rescue occurred when a 69-year old man and his 76-year old wife got caught in flash flood waters near Highway 79 in Oracle Junction. The couple attempted to drive through flood waters near Suizo Road when their Honda Accord began floating down Cadillac Wash. They both exited the car and the man made it to dry land, but his wife was regrettably swept down the wash and perished as she was unable to swim.

Flash Flood, Cochise

When: September 8, 1:18 PM MST to 2:45 PM MST
Where: Cochise County, 0.9 mi SW of (Fhu)ft Huachuca Afb to 4.38 mi NW of Bledsoe
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.570, -110.360

Flash flooding in Sierra Vista caused several streets to be rendered impassable.

Flood, Pima

When: September 8, 10:20 PM MST to 11:30 PM MST
Where: Pima County, 2.15 mi WNW of Tuscon Marana Nw Airport to 2.48 mi W of Naviska
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.434, -111.253

Significant rises on the Santa Cruz River in Tucson earlier in the day flowed northward. In the Avra Valley area, where bank protection is minimal, the river came out of its banks. During the late evening hours, a woman and her son were rescued from the top of their Jeep just south of the bridge near Trico Rd and Hardin Rd. The woman had attempted to cross flood waters when the vehicle was swept off the road and became stuck under the bridge. Both were successfully rescued with no injuries.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Pima	2014-09-08	53	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flash Flood, Pinal	2014-09-08	76	Female	In Water	Direct

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.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, September 2014

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: 543154, 543203, 543205, 543206, 543215.