Phoenix Drenched in Record 1-Day Rainfall

Flash flooding covers Ariz. freeways, snarls commute
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 8, 2014 12:48 PM CDT
Phoenix Drenched in Record 1-Day Rainfall
A wall of dust moves across a freeway in Phoenix on Sept. 6, 2014, as a storm swept into the area, dropping rain and dust.   (AP Photo/Katie Oyan)

Storms that flooded several Phoenix-area freeways and numerous local streets during this morning's commute set an all-time record for rainfall in Phoenix in a single day. The National Weather Service recorded 2.99 inches of rain by about 7am, breaking the old record of 2.91 inches set in 1933. This morning's rainfall also eclipsed Phoenix's average total rainfall of 2.71 inches for the city's entire summer rainy season. A flash flood warning was issued for most of the Phoenix area and its outskirts through late this morning because of heavy thunderstorms and showers; flash flood watches cover most of the rest of Arizona. Sections of the major commuter freeways Interstate 10 and 17 in West Phoenix were closed during the commute. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has declared a state of emergency, reports KTAR. (More Phoenix stories.)

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