The Storm of the Century: Remembering the Historic Flooding on I-10 in Phoenix
It’s been a decade since the unforgettable historic flooding on I-10 in west Phoenix that left vehicles and drivers stranded as flood waters quickly rose. Sunday marks the anniversary of this significant event that took days for the Valley to dry out from.
This day, 10 years ago, marked the highest daily total rainfall ever recorded at Sky Harbor Airport’s official gauge. The 2014 storm brought 3.30 inches of rainfall onto Phoenix in just one day, nearly double the normal rainfall for an entire season.
Arizona was in the midst of monsoon season and the storm was far from ordinary. Moisture from Tropical Storm Norbert combined with other factors to create hours of rain overnight that overwhelmed the Arizona highways, leading to unprecedented flooding on I-10.
The aftermath of the flood changed how Maricopa County Flood Control approaches weather events. Emergency response strategies were refined, and more gauges were installed to better monitor and prepare for future weather events.
One resident vividly recalled the chaos of the flooded I-10, describing how their car was sinking and they couldn’t escape due to the rising water levels, leaving the highway resembling a parking lot of abandoned vehicles.
With lessons learned and improvements made, the Maricopa County Flood District has grown by 25% since the 2014 storm. While such extreme weather events may not occur frequently, the impact of the “Storm of the Century” will not soon be forgotten by those who experienced it.
Arizona Weather Videos
Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather. Watch these videos showcasing various storms across the Grand Canyon state.
