Residents of the Phoenix area were greeted Sunday morning by toppled trees and debris-littered streets. after powerful thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds to the region Saturday — flooding roads, delaying flights and leaving thousands without power.
The Salt River Project utility said Sunday afternoon that 800 customers were still without electricity — down from 51,000. Electricity in the area should be restored by Sunday evening, the utility reported. The Arizona Public Service said 11,000 customers were without power, but progress was expected in the next few hours. No injuries have been reported, but authorities conducted two water rescues Saturday involving stranded hikers. The National Weather Service says Phoenix received a record 1.6 inches of rain Saturday and 5.09 inches this month, making it the second-wettest September in the books.
The torrential storm was caused by Pacific weather patterns that mixed with moisture across Arizona, together they produced thunderstorms, flash flooding rains, hail, and damaging wind gusts, experts said.
Though a few showers were possible late Sunday afternoon, meteorologist, Mark Ressler told NBC News, "Arizona looks dry through the next two weeks."
The Arizona Department of Transportation reported that all roads were clear but still urged commuters to drive carefully and watch out for standing water.