Power Outage in Payson, AZ

After 2 to 4 inches of rain fell, beginning around 0830MST, over the 2021 Telegraph burn area, catastrophic flooding occurred in Claypool area between Miami and Globe. Runoff mostly collected in Russell Gulch and a few feet of floodwaters moved downhill through the Claypool community. Security cam footage from a pizza shop showed floodwaters reached US-60 near mile post 247 around 1056MST. US-60 became impassible a couple minutes later and was closed in both directions for a couple hours before being reopened around 1240MST. The same areas were impacted again in the mid-afternoon after another wave of flash flooding move through the area. The Gila County Emergency Manager estimated over 50 homes and structures were damaged by flooding. Included in the damage was the pizza shop with the security footage, which was fully surrounded by flooding. A hotel next to the pizza shop had all of its ground level rooms flooded, including a wall that collapsed due to the force of the water. Roads to the nearby hospital were cutoff by floodwaters. The hardest hit area was Little Acres Mobile Home Park, 1 mile south of US-60. Most if not all of the mobile homes had flood damage as an estimated 4 feet of water and mud moved through the park. Security footage shows one home was even swept from one side of the park to the other and was destroyed. Many of the owners were displaced from their homes for several days while the park was cleaned. A power substation next to the park also experienced significant flooding. Fortunately there were no injuries or fatalities reported from this event.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system moving slowly east across Arizona interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread moderate to heavy rain across the higher terrain areas to the north and east of Phoenix during the morning hours on November 29th. Initially the heavy rain led to flash flooding and caused area washes and creeks to flow heavily. Water rose above action stage in Tonto Creek by mid morning, and continued to rise into the afternoon hours. According to local law enforcement, at about 1600MST a large vehicle drove around barriers and attempted to cross flooded Tonto Creek about 3 miles to the southeast of Punkin Center. The vehicle contained at least 2 adults and 7 children. The vehicle was swept away by rapidly flowing flood waters; the 2 adults were rescued along with 4 of the children. However, 3 of the children did not survive. 2 were rescued rather quickly but the third, a 6 year old girl, was not found until at least 2 weeks later after extensive search and rescue efforts. An Areal Flood Warning was in effect at the time the vehicle was swept away.

A strong cold front, associated with a powerful Pacific low pressure system, moved quickly east across southern Gila County during the morning hours on November 29th. Earlier in the morning, the front produced numerous episodes of wind damage and spawned several tornadoes across the greater Phoenix area. At 0604MST a mesonet weather station 8 miles to the south of Globe measured a wind gust to 66 mph. There were no reports of damage in the area due to the strong gust.

The Payson ASOS reported a peak wind gust of 68 MPH at 335 PM. The Payson Police reported multiple trees and power poles down in the city.

The Payson ASOS reported a peak wind gust of 68 MPH at 335 PM. The Payson Police reported multiple trees and power poles down in the city.

A 60 foot trailer was blown off its foundation after a microburst hit the area. Trees were downed and damage was reported to homes in the area. Trees were blown down and took out power lines which left much of the Globe area without power for about 4 hours. At least one car was damaged after a tree fell on it.

Lightning stuck one house and also knocked out power to street lights.

Power outage on Wednesday evening at the Frazier substation was due to very strong winds. Spotter reports included debrs blowing around due to the strong wind. Heavy rain was also reported, with .98 inch in 45 minutes at Roosevelt Dam.

Power outage on Wednesday evening at the Frazier substation was due to very strong winds. Spotter reports included debrs blowing around due to the strong wind. Heavy rain was also reported, with .98 inch in 45 minutes at Roosevelt Dam.

Winds knocked a 40 foot motor home on its side and took down power poles and trees in Punkin Center. Winds damaged a 20 foot section of a roof and blew down a TV antenna at Roosevelt Lakes Estates.

Winds knocked a 40 foot motor home on its side and took down power poles and trees in Punkin Center. Winds damaged a 20 foot section of a roof and blew down a TV antenna at Roosevelt Lakes Estates.

Law enforcement reported about 80 people had to be evacuated as flood waters from the Tonto Creek affected portions of Tonto Basin. A spotter in Tonto Basin reported part of a road being washed out. A power outage affected about 2,300 homes and was blamed on flooding when power poles near the creek were taken down. A small dike gave way which resulted in additional flooding of homes and roads. The Red Cross opened a shelter at the Tonto Basin Kiwanis Club and the Tonto Basin School. Gila County declared an emergency due to the flooding.

Heavy rain (nearly 4 inches) on Jan 27 and 28th forced the evacuation of at least 60 people from the east side of Tonto Creek near Jakes Corner. Other residents were stranded on the east side of Tonto Creek until the water subsided. The rising water washed out three power poles and about 2,300 customers without power.

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree onto power lines in Washington Park.

Winds damaged part of a boat storage facility, uprooted a large tree, and resulted in a power outage for up to 5 hours.

A strong cold front associated with a powerful Pacific low pressure system pushed through southern Gila County during the morning hours on November 29th. Earlier in the morning, the front caused numerous episodes of wind damage and spawned several tornadoes in the greater Phoenix area. As the front moved across southern Gila County it produced a wind gust to 66 mph as registered by a mesonet weather station. There were no reports of damage due to the strong gust.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system moving slowly east across Arizona interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread moderate to heavy rain across south-central Arizona during the morning hours on November 29th. Aided by frontal lift, isolated thunderstorms developed which helped enhance rain totals. The heavy rain resulted in episodes of flash flooding over higher terrain areas northeast of Phoenix during the morning hours and also resulted in area washes and creeks running heavily. Tonto Creek began to flow heavily during the morning, and exceeded alarm stages with water continuing to rise. During late afternoon, a large vehicle went around barricades and attempted to cross flooded Tonto Creek. The vehicle was swept away resulting in multiple fatalities. Three children were killed; 2 were found relatively soon after they were swept away but the third was not found until at least 2 weeks later after extensive search and rescue efforts.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed across the higher terrain of southern Gila County during the afternoon hours on July 29th and some of the stronger storms affected the area around Globe and Miami. As is typical during the monsoon, the stronger storms were able to produce gusty and damaging outflow winds as well as intense rainfall. A trained spotter 3 miles south of Globe measured very heavy rain with a rain rate in excess of 2 inches per hour. A Flood Advisory was issued for the area due to the heavy rain but no flash flooding was reported. Gusty outflow winds also developed and they downed power lines between the communities of Miami and Claypool. The winds were estimated to be in excess of 50 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued shortly before the power lines were snapped.

Lightning stuck one house and also knocked out power to street lights.

Severe thunderstorm winds resulted in a power outage in the Roosevelt Lakes estates area.