As promised, storms got a late start today and as expected, flooding is becoming a big concern. An Urban & Small Stream Flood Advisory has been issued for Southeast Pima, Northern Santa Cruz & Western Cochise Counties until 8:45 pm.  This includes Green Valley, Sahuarita, Benson, Sonoita, Elgin & Amado.

Radar is picking up heavy rain in this area & storms have remained stationary. Since 6 pm, Pima County Fairgrounds has picked up 1.30″ rain, Altar Wash at highway 286 has received 2.09″ rain & the Santa Cruz River at Continental Road in Green Valley has received 0.79″ rain. Streams & washes are flowing…do not attempt to cross flooded roads, especially when its dark out! I expect area roadways in Green Valley/Sahuarita to be flooded tonight, so it’s best to stay in tonight as these storms will continue over the next several hours.

Meanwhile, I also expect activity to start forming around the Tucson metro in the next half hour. Don’t be surprised if a flood advisory is posted shortly for Tucson proper.

The other major concern is the Nogales Wash in Nogales, where a strong thunderstorm in Nogales, Sonora dropped up to 1.5″ rain in a short amount of time. That water flowed north into the US side, causing major flooding along Western Ave. & evacuating the Chula Vista neighborhood. Several panels of the Nogales Wash under the highway 82 bridge were “compromised” according to a Nogales city official.

This graph shows the water depth of the Nogales Wash, which this afternoon saw a 7 foot rise between 4:30 & 5:30 pm. That’s just one of three significant rises in the Nogales Wash since Tuesday, so this area will be flood-prone through the weekend as well.

Catch me on the TV side tonight at 10, as we’ll break down storm action in Tucson & give you the latest on the flooding in Nogales.

Filed under: Jeff's Tucson Forecast, Weather by Jeff Beamish