Historic Rainfall Prompts Flood Watches for Millions in Four Western States
The National Weather Service has issued widespread flood watches across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Colorado, warning of potentially life-threatening conditions.
Millions of Americans are under flood watches as a powerful monsoon is forecast to bring potentially historic rainfall to the Southwest. The National Weather Service (NWS) has alerted residents in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Colorado to prepare for intense storms expected from Wednesday through Thursday evening.
Forecasters with AccuWeather anticipate that some areas could receive as much as 12 inches of rain within hours. While widespread rainfall of this magnitude is considered a 1-in-1,000-year event, isolated locations could experience such extreme downpours, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys. Heavy rainfall rates, potentially reaching two to three inches per hour, are a significant concern for flash flooding.
Major urban centers such as Phoenix and Tucson are expected to receive two to four inches of rain. The NWS has specifically warned of the dangers of flash floods in canyons, near burn scars, and along waterways, noting that these events can be life-threatening.
Urgent flash flood warnings are in effect for multiple areas, including Phoenix and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, as well as parts of Utah and Colorado. Authorities are urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm, emphasizing that driving through flooded roads is a primary cause of fatalities during flash floods. The NWS reiterated the crucial safety message: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
Meteorologists have characterized the event as having "a lot of characteristics of a Tropical Rainstorm," capable of producing significant flash flooding risks due to the intensity of the rainfall.
Monsoon rains are typical late-summer phenomena in the Southwest, caused by the influx of warm, humid air from the south, leading to rapid, heavy downpours rather than prolonged drizzle. However, the predicted intensity of this storm is particularly noteworthy for a region not accustomed to such extreme precipitation.