National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona and West Virginia
The National Weather Service has issued multiple flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings across parts of Arizona and West Virginia, with heavy rain, hail and strong winds reported in the affected areas.
Active Warnings in Arizona and West Virginia
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Flash Flood Warning for east central Graham County in southeastern Arizona and west central Greenlee County in southeastern Arizona until 845 PM MST. [1] At 546 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [1] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Gila County, Arizona, at 546 PM MST for a storm located over Brushy Top Mountain. [2] A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Yavapai County, Arizona, with a storm located over Bullpen Day Use Area at 545 PM MST. [3] A Flash Flood Warning is active in Boone County, West Virginia, where Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain at 845 PM EDT. [4] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Graham County, Arizona, was issued at 544 PM MST for a storm located near Safford Regional Airport. [5]
Flash Flooding in Southeastern Arizona
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 845 PM MST for east central Graham County and west central Greenlee County in southeastern Arizona. [1] Between 0.8 and 1.8 inches of rain have fallen in the warned area. [1] Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. [1] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the affected counties. [1] The warning covers the specific portions of east central Graham County and west central Greenlee County where the radar indicated the heavy rain. [1]
Severe Thunderstorms Over Gila and Yavapai Counties
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Gila County, Arizona, with quarter size hail expected. [2] At 546 PM MST, the severe thunderstorm was located over Brushy Top Mountain, or 32 miles south of Forest Lakes, moving west at 15 mph. [2] Locations impacted include Brushy Top Mountain, Pendleton Mesa and Sierra Ancha Wilderness. [2] This includes State Route 288 between mile markers 279 and 292 and between mile markers 295 and 296. [2] A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Yavapai County, Arizona, with quarter size hail. [3] At 545 PM MST, the severe thunderstorm was located over Bullpen Day Use Area, or 10 miles southeast of Camp Verde, moving south at 10 mph. [3] Locations impacted include Camp Verde, Bullpen Day Use Area, Fossil Creek Day Use Area, Fossil Creek Waterfall, The Toilet Bowl, Fossil Springs Wilderness and West Clear Creek Wilderness. [3] This includes State Route 260 between mile markers 226 and 240. [3]
Flash Flood Threat in Boone County, West Virginia
A Flash Flood Warning is active in Boone County, West Virginia. [4] At 845 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [4] Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. [4] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [4] The hazard includes flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. [4] Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Charleston. [4]
Damaging Winds and Hail Near Safford, Arizona
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Graham County, Arizona, warns of 60 mph wind gusts and small hail. [5] At 544 PM MST, the severe thunderstorm was located near Safford Regional Airport, moving southwest at 15 mph. [5] Locations impacted include Safford, Thatcher, Solomon, San Jose, Safford Regional Airport, Roper Lake State Park, Pima, Central, Swift Trail Junction and Frye Mesa Dam. [5] This includes Route 191 between mile markers 113 and 145 and between other segments along the route. [5] The impact includes expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [5]
Safety Guidance for Impacted Areas
Residents in the warned areas should avoid flooded roadways and low-lying spots where flash flooding is ongoing or expected. [1] [4] Drivers should expect damage to vehicles from quarter size hail in the paths of the thunderstorms over Gila and Yavapai counties. [2] [3] Property owners near Safford should prepare for possible damage to roofs, siding, and trees from 60 mph wind gusts and small hail. [5] People in Boone County should monitor small creeks, urban areas, highways and low-lying spots near Charleston for rising water. [4] Travelers along State Route 288, State Route 260 and Route 191 should use caution due to the moving storms. [2] [3] [5]
What to watch next is continued monitoring of the radar-indicated heavy rain and thunderstorm movement in the warned counties of Arizona and West Virginia as the warnings remain in effect through the evening hours.
