Highlights
- NWS Phoenix issued a Flash Flood Warning for Maricopa County effective 12:42 p.m. MST, expiring 4:45 p.m. MST on Sept. 16.
- Doppler radar shows thunderstorms have already dropped 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain, with 1 to 2 more inches possible in one hour.
- Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Mountain, New River, and Seven Springs are among the named locations at risk.
- NWS warns most flood deaths occur in vehicles and urges drivers not to enter flooded roads.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING: The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Maricopa County in south central Arizona, effective 12:42 p.m. MST and running until 4:45 p.m. MST on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area as of 12:42 p.m. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain had already fallen. The NWS projects an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall within a single hour, with flash flooding described as ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
The agency rates the hazard as life threatening, citing flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses. Named locations expected to experience flash flooding include Scottsdale, New River, Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Mountain, and Seven Springs.
NWS Phoenix urges residents and drivers to turn around and avoid flooded roads, noting that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
The warning expires at 4:45 p.m. MST; residents should monitor NWS Phoenix for updates or extensions.
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 16/09/2026 19:43
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 16/09/2026 19:43. Every claim traces to a source.
