The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a Flash Flood Warning for Maricopa and Pinal counties on September 16 at 12:34 PM MST. Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the region, with 0.5 to 1.5 inches already fallen. Expected rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible, with additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches forecast.
The warning remains in effect until 4:30 PM MST. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, affecting creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, and underpasses. Affected locations include Mesa, Apache Junction, Sugarloaf Mountain, Salt River Tubing Recreation Area, Usery Mountain Park, Saguaro Lake, Rio Verde, and Fort McDowell. The National Weather Service advises turning around and avoiding flooded roads, as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Source: National Weather Service.
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- National Weather Service retrieved 16/09/2026 19:38
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 16/09/2026 19:38. Every claim traces to a source.
