Flood Watch Expands Across the Phoenix and Tucson Metro Areas in Arizona as Monsoon Moisture Raises Flash Flood Risk Through Friday Morning

PHOENIX, AZ — A flood watch is in effect for a wide stretch of Arizona from Thursday afternoon through early Friday morning as monsoon moisture raises the chance of heavy rain and sudden runoff. The alert covers parts of the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, along with desert, mountain and basin communities across central and southern Arizona.

Areas under watch

Forecasters say the watch includes places such as Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, North Phoenix, Glendale, Deer Valley, Central Phoenix, the Southeast Valley, Buckeye, Avondale and Gila Bend. It also extends to communities around Fountain Hills, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Superior, Globe, Miami and several areas in Pinal County.

Southern Arizona included

The alert also reaches deep into southern Arizona, including the Tucson metro area, Green Valley, Marana, Vail and the Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys near Nogales. Higher terrain such as the Santa Catalina, Rincon and Baboquivari mountains is also covered, along with parts of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

What the watch means

A flood watch does not guarantee flooding, but it signals conditions are favorable for water to rise quickly if storms develop. In desert areas, even brief downpours can create dangerous flooding in washes, low-lying roads and canyons.

What residents should do

People in the watch area should stay alert for changing weather, keep an eye on local forecasts and be ready for road closures or fast-moving water. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roadways and never attempt to cross water-covered streets or washes.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.