Power Outage in Wittmann, AZ

A video showed multiple downed power poles along Patton Road near 259th Avenue with 60 mph winds recorded in the area. No injuries were reported.

Power poles were down in the area between Happy Valley Rd and Deer Valley Rd and between 225th Ave and US-60 in Surprise. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system spread considerable moisture into the central deserts on March 12th, and aided by modest instability it generated scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the stronger storms produced heavy rain sufficient to lead to an episode of flash flooding near the town of Wittmann and to the northwest of Surprise. According to a public report from the town of Surprise, at 1000MST flash flooding occurred about 1 mile northeast of Wittmann. Flooding caused the closure of Dove Valley Road between 203rd and 211th Avenues. The closure was due to debris across the road. A Flash Flood Warning was in effect at the time of the flooding but there were no reports of accidents or injuries.

A powerful winter storm continued to slowly push eastward across Arizona on February 22nd. In addition to generating moderate to heavy desert rain and higher elevation snow the storm produced a couple of funnel clouds, one of which occurred near the town of Wittmann. At 1730MST a member of the public captured the funnel cloud on video; the funnel was located about 4 miles northeast of the town. Although the funnel never touched ground and produced no damage, it was noteworthy due to its rarity and as such generated some media attention.

Thunderstorms with strong and damaging outflow winds moved across the northwest portion of the greater Phoenix area during the evening hours on August 12th. One of the stronger storms moved through the community of Wittmann. According to a social media report from the public, at 1936MST gusty outflow winds estimated as high as 70 mph downed a number of power poles into the road near the intersection of 211th Avenue and Dove Valley Road. The downed poles and lines resulted in a power outage in Wittmann. The downed poles were about 1 mile to the northeast of Wittmann. No injuries were reported due to the fallen power poles and power lines.

During the early evening hours on July 6th, a strong and slow moving cluster of thunderstorms produced damaging microburst winds that affected the community of Wittmann. According to local broadcast media, at 1935MST gusty microburst winds estimated to be at least 55 mph blew down a number of power poles covering a 4 mile stretch along Crozier Road beginning at Lone Mountain Road and ending at Rancho Del Oro Road. 18 power lines were also blown down along Patton Road from 215th to 230th Avenues. Additionally, a home at 22200 West Bajada Drive shifted from wind damage and trapped 6 people inside the home. Local Fire Department units responded to the people trapped inside the home.

Power lines and poles downed by very strong winds across portions of the north and west areas of the Valley. Over 10,000 APS customers were without power at the height of the storm. Luke AFB recorded a peak wind of 56 mph while a spotter in Wittmann had 52 mph gusts along with pea size hail.