Power Outage in Queen Creek, AZ

A large Pacific upper low moving east across Arizona was accompanied by a strong cold front that moved across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area during the early morning hours on November 29th. Due to high levels of wind shear and instability, the front generated several tornadoes, one of which briefly moved through the community of Queen Creek at around 0450MST. According to a NWS employee, the tornado resulted in moderate damage, downing a number of trees as well as knocking down several power poles. Some roof damage was also noted. Fortunately there were no injuries reported. Damage surveys indicated that the tornado was on the ground less than 10 minutes and had a short path, with a width between 50 and 100 yards.

Thunderstorms with intense rainfall developed to the southeast of the greater Phoenix area during the very early morning hours on August 10th; peak rain rates with the stronger storms exceeded 2 inches per hour. The heavy rain led to flash flooding in the area around Queen Creek, including flooding in the Sonoqui Wash. At 0230MST, local law enforcement reported that Via Del Jardin was closed due to flash flooding along the Sonoqui Wash, about 2 miles west of Queen Creek. Later in the morning, at 0345MSt, local Queen Creek law enforcement reported that Power Road near Ocotillo Road was also closed due to flash flooding along the Sonoqui Wash. A Flash Flood Warning had been issued at about midnight for the area, but was allowed to expire at 0300MST. There were no reports of accidents or injuries due to the flash flooding.

About 6 power poles were downed, resulting in power outages for as many as 4500 customers in Queen Creek.

Showers and thunderstorms were scattered across portions of the county, with brief heavy rainfall in localized areas. Hurricane Ileana, spinning in the eastern Pacific, produced impulses that passed through the state. These impulses, together with a very moist airmass, helped trigger these storms.A spotter in East Mesa reported .5 inch of rain in only 15 minutes. An automatic gauge in Queen Creek picked up over 2 inches and a spotter in Wickenburg reported .62 inch of rain in less than one hour. One of the heaviest rainfall rates was reported in East Phoenix. Runoff from these heavy rains led to a rapid rise in the Indian Bend Wash during the day. At one time there was about 4 feet of water. Two motorists had to be rescued from their vehicles. Lightning sparked several fires and caused spotty power and phone outages.

Severe thunderstorms struck this area with high winds blowing down power poles and lines. Homes and businesses were damaged. Salt River Project reported about 200 power poles down in the area near Ellsworth and Ocotillo road, Up to 5,000 customers were left without power. Power was restored the following day to 2,000 households and fully restored by Monday. Hundreds of mature trees blown down and onto streets and homes. Windshields on a number of vehicles were blown out. Winds caused a building to collapse, killing a horse. Several aircraft were overturned by high winds, and a construction trailer in Queen Creek was destroyed.