Highlights
- NWS Phoenix issued a Flood Warning for Maricopa and Pinal counties at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday, effective through 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
- A Maricopa County Flood Control District gauge recorded flood-stage water levels along the East Maricopa Floodway at Queen Creek Road.
- Low-water crossings on Hunt Highway and in the Gila River Indian Reservation face inundation risk through overnight hours.
- Up to 1 additional inch of rainfall is possible in the warned area; NWS urges drivers not to enter flooded roads.
The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Flood Warning Tuesday night for Maricopa and Pinal counties, effective from 8:34 p.m. MST September 16 through 8:30 a.m. MST September 17, citing flooding caused by excessive rainfall.
A Maricopa County Flood Control District gauge recorded water levels at flood stage along the East Maricopa Floodway at Queen Creek Road as of 8:34 p.m. MST. Flooding downstream is expected to affect low-water crossings along Hunt Highway and within the Gila River Indian Reservation through the overnight hours and potentially longer.
The alert rates the event as severe. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is described as imminent or occurring. Low-water crossings may become inundated and impassable. Affected locations are mainly rural areas of Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Up to 1 inch of additional rainfall remains possible within the warned area. NWS warns that river banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe, and instructs drivers to turn around rather than attempt flooded roads, noting that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
The warning expires at 8:30 a.m. MST Thursday; NWS Phoenix will issue updates if conditions change before then.
Sources
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- api.weather.gov retrieved 17/09/2026 03:38
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 17/09/2026 03:38. Every claim traces to a source.
