Heavy Rains and Floods in Mesa and Surrounding Areas

On the morning of September 16, summer storms hit the Valley of the Sun, leaving Mesa and surrounding regions under a flood advisory. The rain, which exceeded one inch in some areas, caused flooded roads, power outages, and vehicles trapped in standing water.

Flooded Roads and Road Closures

Loop 101 in Scottsdale was flooded with about two feet of water, while the freeway entrance in Mesa, near Higley Road, became inaccessible. The city of Mesa closed Higley Road south of Brown Road, and northbound lanes were blocked at University Drive.

Vehicle Rescues from Standing Water

Mesa firefighters responded to Higley and Casper Roads at 1:30 p.m. to rescue a driver whose vehicle became trapped in water. The driver remained conscious and did not require hospital transport.

Power Outages and Utility Company Response

Hundreds of Salt River Project customers lost power in Glendale, Mesa, and Gilbert, while some Arizona Public Service customers also lost electricity. SRP confirmed that the outages were caused by weather conditions and dispatched crews to restore service.

NWS Flood Advisory and Additional Risks

The NWS issued a flood advisory for Maricopa County that expired at 4:45 p.m., but warned that bodies of water such as Cave Creek, Beardsley Canal, and the Agua Fria River remained at elevated levels and could flood again.

Safety Measures and Resident Support

The Maricopa Police Department made sandbags available in the public works parking lot near Edison Road and Estrella Parkway. The city also provided empty bags and filled some for anyone needing protection against potential flooding.

Impact on Air Travel and Major Roads

Sky Harbor International Airport temporarily suspended air traffic, and roads like Loop 202 became impassable. Public transit service also experienced disruptions, with some buses diverting routes to avoid flooded areas.

With information from FOX 10 Phoenix, Yahoo, azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic.