StoryMaps of Historical Flooding in Arizona
Created by Diana Zamora-Reyes in collaboration with University of Arizona, the AZ NASA Space Grant and the National Weather Service Tucson
Welcome!
In this repository you will find StoryMaps with generalized information related to the three types of floods that occur across Arizona: Monsoon, Tropical Cyclone Remnants, and Winter Storms.
You will also find several detailed narratives of unprecedented events related to these types of floods.
To contact me: dzamorareyes@email.arizona.edu
Monsoon Overview
Arizona's summers are known for two things: hot temperatures and Monsoon rains. These storms are short, but can produce bursts of rain that can cause flash flooding, lighting, high winds, and dust storms.
Detailed Narrative: 2006 Sabino Canyon Flooding
Unprecedented flooding occurred in Sabino Canyon, which is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Tucson, due to sustained and heavy rainfall in July 2006. These rains caused 435 slope failures and $4 million in damages were needed to repair roads.
Person in picture standing on Sabino Canyon Road after the storm/flooding. From: USGS Open-file report 2008-1274
Tropical Cyclone Remnants Overview
Once in a while, the highly moist remnants of tropical storms can travel towards Arizona and if they encounter the right atmospheric disturbance, can produce monster storms that will lead to widespread flooding.
Detailed Narrative: 1983 Tropical Storm Octave
Picture taken October 2nd, 1983 with Tucson residents overlooking the Santa Cruz River. From: Arizona Daily Star
Detailed Narrative: 2014 Hurricane Norbert
Remnants from Hurricane Norbert interacted with a low-pressure system to produce very intense rainfall during the early morning through midday of September 8, 2014 in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. The amount of rain produced in Phoenix during a 12-hour span was rare (<1% of occurring), but areas such as Tempe, Mesa or Chandler it was an extremely rare event (<0.1% of occurring). This storm closed major highways and schools, flooded homes, and caused multiple swift-water rescues. Unfortunately, fast-flowing washes in Tucson drowned two commuters.
Picture taken September 8th, 2014 with flooded cars near I-10 and 43rd street in Phoenix. From: Arizona Republic
Winter Storm Overview
From November to April, North America's weather systems typically travel from the Pacific Northwest towards Arizona and tend to produce events that last a few days with constant rain that helps to recharge Arizona's groundwater storage. Snow can even accumulate at higher elevations.
Detailed Narrative: Atmospheric River flooding
- English (under construction)
- Spanish (under construction)
Detailed Narrative: 1993 Winter Season
- English (under construction)
- Spanish (under construction)
Gila River flowing underneath I-10 in January, 1993. From: Arizona Daily Star