Monsoon season in Phoenix is often a spectacle of nature’s power, but this year, it seems Mother Nature has unleashed her full fury. In the aftermath of the recent monsoon storms, two schools have been forced to cancel classes, and thousands of residents find themselves in the dark without electricity.
The Second Round Strikes Harder
The second round of storms proved to be stronger than the first as strong winds and heavy rain battered parts of the Phoenix area on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Under 200 APS customers are without power, while about 1,700 SRP customers don’t have electricity as of 9 a.m Wednesday. Some residents had damage to their mobile homes near McKellips and Recker roads in Mesa, while Goodyear experienced wind gusts exceeding 40 mph.
Chaos Unleashed
Another round of storms early Wednesday hit Globe and south Scottsdale, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area. Power poles were reported down in central Phoenix, near 17th Street and Oak Street, north of McDowell Road. The closest wind gauge showed winds reaching about 35 miles per hour, but a microburst may have caused those lines to tumble.
Due to the widespread power outage, Camelback High School was forced to switch to virtual learning. Flash flooding inundated central Phoenix, and hail as big as a golf ball was reported in parts of Chandler. In Mesa, the aftermath was stark as heavy damage was reported at Falcon Field Park, where Arizona’s Family crews spotted downed trees, damaged ramadas, and restaurants. At the nearby airport, at least 6 planes could be seen overturned from the powerful winds. Mesa police said they’ve been working around-the-clock to secure the area. The damage was so severe for Zaharis Elementary that classes had to be canceled.
Monsoon season in Phoenix always keeps residents on their toes, but this year’s storms have been particularly relentless. As the community rallies to restore power and repair the extensive damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the awe-inspiring force of nature. While the monsoon can bring much-needed relief from the sweltering Arizona heat, it also demands our respect and preparedness for its unpredictable and powerful displays.
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