Severe flooding swept through the Phoenix metro area on Tuesday as some areas were hit by up to eight inches of rain. The National Weather service issued a flash flood warning for the desert city, The Associated Press said.
Authorities closed a section of Interstate 17, which runs from Phoenix in the south to Flagstaff in the north, after the highway flooded. Multiple motorists were stranded.
LIVE VIDEO: #ABC15 has team coverage of the major flooding in the Phoenix area. Watch here: http://t.co/uBj4kyit8hpic.twitter.com/LX2CrIU6Hh
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) August 19, 2014
Elsewhere, at least seven were rescued by Phoenix firefighters, Fire Captain Benjamin Santillan told The Weather Channel.
#SwiftWaterRescue happening RIGHT NOW on #abc15pic.twitter.com/8rbOUmOkSH
— Dan Spindle (@DanSpindle) August 19, 2014
Some residents have been evacuated.
Phoenix was suffering from a crippling drought as recently as June.
This is not good. Emergency worker told me horses on this property washed away... Not sure of residents. #AZMonsoonpic.twitter.com/MXB0nxFYcZ
— Kevin Kennedy (@AZNEWSKEVIN) August 19, 2014
No umbrella. No rain jacket & caught in heavy rain in South Phoenix. #azwx#azmonsoonpic.twitter.com/QbluRRtNjv
— David Wallace (@DavidWallce) August 19, 2014
Monsoon deluge flooding near Phoenix, water rescues in progress. More: http://t.co/wSfoKXPPVK Image via @12newspic.twitter.com/8WnT3H7B8O
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) August 19, 2014
MUST-SEE VIDEO: Storm drain overflows during #Phoenix flooding http://t.co/c3C7Qs5OJj#abc15pic.twitter.com/dFfuoWRulL
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) August 19, 2014