Flash Flood in Yuma County, Arizona

Scattered thunderstorms affected community of Yuma as well as surrounding communities such as Somerton during the late afternoon and evening hours on September 8th. Due to elevated moisture values, partially a result of tropical moisture from Hurricane Linda starting to move into southern Arizona, the stronger storms produced very heavy rainfall with peak rain rates in excess of 2 inches per hour. A trained spotter 3 miles northeast of Somerton measured 4.6 inches of rain within 2 hours ending at 1900MST. The heavy rain led to flash flooding in the Yuma area and resulted in the issuance of a Flash Flood Warning at 1802MST. At 2000MST, local broadcast media reported that people were leaving flooded houses south of highway 95 between Joshua Street and Bingham Avenue. The flash flooding took place about 1 mile southeast of the town of Somerton. Fortunately there were no injuries reported due to the flooding.

Thunderstorms with intense rainfall developed over portions of southern Yuma County, including the Interstate 8 corridor east of Yuma, during the late afternoon and early evening hours on August 16th. At 1640MST a trained spotter 5 miles southwest of Wellton reported 0.8 inches of rain within 15 minutes. The heavy rain, with peak rain rates over 3 inches per hour, caused traffic on Interstate 8 to stop. Shortly thereafter, at 1714MST the public reported that the on and off ramps to Interstate 8 as well as underpasses were submerged and flooded. This occurred about 3 miles southeast of Ligurta or just to the south of the Dome Valley. The flooded underpasses were not far from where the heavy rainfall report was taken along Interstate 8. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the area at 1630MST and it remained in effect through 1930MST. No accidents or injuries were reported due to the flooding and hazardous driving conditions.

Imperial Dam Road between the Walker and Howard Gates at the Yuma Proving Ground Naval Base was closed for several days due to major road erosion from flash flooding. Flood timing estimated from radar. No injuries reported.