News Summary
Phoenix, Arizona, is bracing for potential flooding as Tropical Storm Priscilla brings heavy rainfall across the state. With more rain expected, various areas may receive over two inches, prompting flash flood warnings and travel disruptions. Residents are advised to avoid flooded areas and are being provided with sandbags to protect their properties. The National Weather Service continues to monitor the situation closely, alerting communities at risk of severe weather as the storm’s remnants linger throughout the weekend.
Phoenix, Arizona is facing potential flooding as Tropical Storm Priscilla has brought several days of heavy rain across the state. Rainfall has been consistent over the past 24 hours, and showers are expected to continue throughout the weekend, impacting much of Arizona.
On Friday, October 10, rain fell steadily, paving the way for further precipitation on Saturday. Various rounds of showers are predicted, with some areas in Arizona possibly receiving more than two inches of rainfall, raising concerns about flooding in low-lying regions. The 12News team is monitoring rainfall totals closely as the storm progresses.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning for the Tanque Verde, Vail, and Little Town communities, affecting approximately 186,000 residents who have been urged to move to higher ground. This warning is in effect until 6:30 p.m. on the same day. Additionally, a severe weather alert has indicated a moderate risk of hazardous conditions, which includes heavy localized rainfall and strong thunderstorms, while a flood watch remains active throughout Phoenix and most of Arizona until late October 11.
Rainfall is projected to peak from Friday into Saturday, with Phoenix expecting totals that could surpass two inches. Southeastern and northern Arizona may experience even heavier precipitation. Widespread rain is anticipated across the state, with areas such as Tucson, Marana, and Green Valley having over 70% chances of rain, and even higher rates in Safford and Willcox, with anticipated rain of up to 84% probability.
Flash flood warnings have also been extended in Coconino County until 7:15 p.m. for rural areas around Tuba City, where heavy rainfall is affecting Moenkopi Wash, which previously encountered floodwaters reaching about six feet. In terms of rainfall totals, cities such as Mesa and Tempe have reported amounts ranging between 0.8 and 1.2 inches, while low totals in the metro Phoenix area remain around 0.3 to 0.5 inches.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, significant travel disruptions have occurred. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported a crash blocking the southbound lanes of State Route 51 at Shea Boulevard, causing major delays throughout the region. As of mid-afternoon, various locations in the Valley, including Mesa, Tempe, and Phoenix, have recorded heavy rain totals. The anticipated rainfall has also resulted in the cancellation of events, such as the Celebrate Mesa celebration scheduled for October 11 and disruptions to the Arizona Fall League Tucson Tripleheader.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid traveling through flooded areas, as flood-related advisories have been put in place alongside concerns about road conditions. As part of preparation efforts, free sandbags are being provided in Mesa to help residents safeguard their properties against heavy rainfall. Data suggests that a combination of expected rainfall and the region’s limited drainage infrastructure heightens the risk of flash floods.
In summary, the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla are expected to continue affecting Arizona’s weather, with rain and thunderstorms likely persisting at least through the weekend. Northern Arizona is set to see light showers and thunderstorms, mainly south of Interstate 40 on October 12, while conditions in Flagstaff are variable, demonstrating a 50% chance of storms overnight that decreases to 25% by the following day. Meanwhile, the NWS in Phoenix emphasizes that scattered showers and thunderstorms all across the state remain a possibility into October 11.
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Additional Resources
- The New York Times: Tropical Storm Priscilla Forecast
- Wikipedia: Tropical Storm
- AZCentral: Hurricane Priscilla Live Updates
- Google Search: Hurricane Priscilla Arizona 2025
- CNN: Storm Priscilla Flooding Forecast
- Google Scholar: Tropical Storm Priscilla
- ABC News: Tropical Storm Priscilla Drenching Southwest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropical Storm Priscilla
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Arizona Weather Forecast
- Google News: Priscilla Arizona Weather
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.
