News Summary
Phoenix experienced significant rainfall and severe thunderstorms, leading to flash flood warnings across Maricopa County and surrounding areas. Record-breaking rainfall was recorded at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, surpassing previous daily rainfall records. The storm caused extensive flooding, prompting evacuation orders in certain communities and search operations for a missing individual. Motorists were cautioned to avoid flooded roadways as the area faces ongoing concerns regarding additional rainfall and potential flooding in the coming days.
Phoenix experienced significant rainfall and severe thunderstorms on the morning of October 12, 2025, leading to record-breaking weather conditions in the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that very heavy rainfall affected parts of the Valley after overnight storms. As a result, a flash flood warning was issued for Maricopa County, which was effective until 12:30 p.m. on the same day.
Flood warnings were also implemented in nearby areas, including Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, which were expected to expire alongside the general Maricopa County alert. Throughout the morning, additional flood warnings were active for locations such as Buckeye, Chandler, Anthem, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Chandler Heights. The NWS cautioned motorists to avoid flooded roadways to ensure public safety.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 1.96 inches of rain had fallen by 1 p.m., setting a new daily rainfall record for October 12, surpassing the previous record of 0.32 inches established in 1957. Earlier in the morning, as of 10 a.m., the NWS reported that the airport recorded 1.69 inches of rain, which later peaked at 1.96 inches.
Specific areas within Phoenix saw varied rainfall amounts, with notable levels including:
- 1.54 inches at Rio Salado Parkway and Hardy Drive
- 1.06 inches at Broadway Road and Loop 101
- 1.10 inches at US 60 and Greenfield Road
- 0.5 to 0.83 inches in Chandler and Gilbert
- Around 0.5 inches or more in most parts of Scottsdale
Conversely, the West Valley and north Phoenix received considerably less rainfall, with areas such as Glendale, Litchfield Park, and Estrella Village only measuring around 0.04 inches. El Mirage and Peoria were the exceptions in the West Valley, each accumulating over an inch of rain.
Notably, Phoenix had already broken a daily rainfall record on October 11 when it received 0.70 inches of rain, exceeding the previous record of 0.31 inches set in 1928. Following the significant weather events on October 12, a flood watch was extended for the Phoenix area through Monday evening, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding potential flooding.
As of 10:15 p.m. on October 12, ‘SET’ evacuation statuses were issued for the Globe and Miami communities due to the heavy rains. Prior to this, a ‘GO’ order was issued for residents, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Reports indicated that several homes near Ellsworth and Broadway roads suffered extensive damage due to flash flooding.
A search operation was underway for a missing man, identified as Vincent Upton, whose truck was swept away in floodwaters near Goodyear early on October 12. Although authorities located the vehicle, Upton remained missing, emphasizing the potential dangers posed by the severe weather conditions.
Following the morning storms, the Valley was expected to dry out by Sunday afternoon, with the possibility of additional rain overnight. Forecasts for October 13 predicted scattered thunderstorms, with expectations of receiving an additional 1-3 inches of rain across south-central Arizona. This developing weather situation continues to warrant close monitoring from local authorities as the region faces ongoing rainfall and potential flooding.
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Additional Resources
- KTAR: Phoenix Rainfall Record on October 12
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Hoodline: Phoenix Thunderstorms
- Google Search: Phoenix Weather October 2025
- AZ Family: Tropical Systems in Arizona
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- ABC15: Man Missing After Weekend Storms
- Google News: Phoenix Thunderstorms October 2025
- Signals AZ: Phoenix Offers Sandbags
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
