Flash Flooding in Arizona, November 28 to 29, 2019

A powerful Pacific low pressure system developing over the desert southwest interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread rain across the central and east portions of La Paz County during the early morning hours on November 29th. Isolated thunderstorms were embedded within the areas of rain, locally enhancing rain totals. The heavy rain led to some flash flooding that impacted areas around the community of Salome. According to the La Paz County Sheriff's Office, flash flooding caused the road to be washed away at Avenue B in Salome. Estimated time of the flooding was about 0120MST; the time of the impact was based on data from a Maricopa County Flood Control gage that crested at 3.86 feet at 0158MST. Flooding was estimated based on when the action stage was reached at which point there was potential for channel breakouts to begin along Centennial Wash.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system developing over the desert southwest led to widespread rain across portions of La Paz County during the evening hours. Rain was moderate to heavy at times and resulted in some flash flooding that occurred near the community of Quartzsite. According to the La Paz County Sheriff's Office, at 2022MST flash flooding resulted in all washes being flooded out along Highway 95 from milepost 90 north to the town of Quartzsite. The report was initiated from French Creek in the middle of the flooded area. Fortunately there were no reports of accidents in the area due to the flooded roads and hazardous driving conditions.

Widespread rain, moderate to heavy at times, developed across portions of La Paz County during the evening hours on November 28th; the heavy rain led to some flash flooding across central portions of the county which persisted into the early morning hours of the 29th. According to local law enforcement, at 2324MST flash flooding resulted in two vehicles becoming stuck in a wash along Vicksburg Road, about 2 miles to the southwest of Vicksburg. The cars were stranded with water up to the bottom of the car door windows. There were no reports of injuries as a result of the flooding however.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system developing over the desert southwest interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread rain across central portions of La Paz County during the early morning hours on November 29th. Isolated thunderstorms were embedded withing the areas of rain, locally enhancing rain totals. The heavy rain led to some flash flooding near the town of Vicksburg. According to the La Paz County Sheriff's office, at 0053MST flash flooding along state route 72 caused washes along the route to flow heavily. State route 72 then became impassable at mile posts 35, 43 and 45. There were no reports of accidents as a result of the flash flooding.