Thunderstorms lead to flood watch, power outages

Maricopa is under a Flash Flood Watch with heavy rains expected this afternoon through Wednesday night. According to the National Weather Serivce, widespread rainfall and a few embedded thunderstorms could lead to flooding of washes and small streams along with localized urban flooding.

There is a 60% chance of rain throughout Maricopa today. The storm has already knocked out power to traffic lights at several intersections on Honeycutt Road and John Wayne Parkway. Please stop and treat intersections as four-ways or three-ways until power is restored.

Electrical District 3 is showing about 1,500 customers without power.

New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. If you are in the watch area, you should watch the weather and be prepared to take immediate action should heavy rain and flooding occur or a flash flood warning be issued.

Tonight’s forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain after 11 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. The low around 58 with breezes of 10 to 15 mph gusting as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday’s forecast also has an 80% chance of rain. The chance of rain lessens to 50 percent on Thursday. High temperatures will be in the 60s.