Highlights
- NWS Phoenix extended a Flash Flood Warning for Gila and Maricopa counties until 12:45 a.m. MST July 17.
- Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen, with up to 0.75 additional inches possible in the warned area.
- Life-threatening flash flooding is ongoing or expected along the Salt River, Tonto Creek, and more than a dozen other drainages.
- Residents and travelers are urged to turn around at flooded roads; most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING: The National Weather Service in Phoenix extended a Flash Flood Warning for Gila County in east central Arizona and Maricopa County in south central Arizona until 12:45 a.m. MST Friday, July 17, according to a 10:30 p.m. MST alert Thursday.
Doppler radar and automated rain gauges confirmed thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain had already fallen as of the alert's issuance, with up to an additional 0.75 inches possible. The NWS characterized the hazard as life-threatening flash flooding of creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses.
Locations expected to experience flash flooding include Roosevelt, Apache Lake, Four Peaks, Roosevelt Dam, and Tortilla Flat. Affected streams and drainages include the Salt River, Cottonwood Creek, Tonto Creek, Bronco Creek, Barge Creek, Tortilla Creek, Alder Creek, Buckhorn Creek, Burnt Corral Creek, Lewis and Pranty Creek, Boulder Creek, Barranca Creek, Ash Creek, and Pine Creek.
The NWS advises: turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Campers and hikers should avoid streams and creeks. Observed flooding should be reported to local emergency services or law enforcement.
The warning expires at 12:45 a.m. MST July 17.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- api.weather.gov retrieved 17/07/2026 05:34
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 17/07/2026 05:34. Every claim traces to a source.
