Highlights
- NWS Phoenix issued a Flash Flood Warning for Maricopa County effective 11:51 a.m. MST Wednesday, expiring at 1:45 p.m. MST.
- Doppler radar showed 0.5 to 1 inch of rain already fallen, with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour forecast to continue.
- Mesa and Falcon Field Airport are among locations expected to experience flash flooding of roads, underpasses, and low-lying areas.
- NWS advises drivers to turn around rather than attempt flooded roads, noting most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING: The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Flash Flood Warning for Maricopa County in south central Arizona at 11:51 a.m. MST Wednesday, September 16, in effect until 1:45 p.m. MST.
Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area as of 11:51 a.m. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain had already fallen, with expected rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. An additional 0.5 inches of rain is possible before the warning expires.
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, according to the NWS alert. Impacts include flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, and other low-lying or poor-drainage areas. Mesa and Falcon Field Airport are specifically identified as locations expected to experience flooding.
The NWS advises: turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
The warning expires at 1:45 p.m. MST. Residents should monitor NWS Phoenix for updates.
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 18:53
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 18:53. Every claim traces to a source.
