Thanksgiving Storm Prompts Warnings & Road Closures
The Thanksgiving storm of 2019 was slow to arrive but made up for its lack of speed with strong winds and about an inch of rain across the North Valley, a middle-of-the-night Flash Flood Warning that blared on cell phones, a Tornado Warning in the East Valley, and snow in the high country that closed I-17 and I-40.
Roughly 1 inch has been recorded in gauges on the far west side of Anthem and in Desert Hills just east of Anthem, according to the Maricopa County Flood Control District. Tramonto got 1.14 inches so far, Sonoran Foothills 1.02 inches, and Norterra roughly 1 inch. Those are among the highest totals in the Valley, while 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in the mountains north of area.
Anthem Community Council announced the dog park is closed this morning due to soggy soil. Old Stage Road in New River was closed this morning due to flooding, MCDOT said. Road closures from snow included I-17 northbound at SR 179, SR 89-A from Sedona to Flagstaff, and SR 260 eastbound from Camp Verde.
441am: A cold front is sweeping across Metro Phoenix bringing very heavy rain and strong winds. The East Valley will see the strongest winds through 5:30 AM this morning. Motors should use caution while driving.#azwx pic.twitter.com/PkicgxChLa
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) November 29, 2019
Tornado Warning including Maricopa County, AZ until 4:15 AM MST pic.twitter.com/EDlbWlJB65
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) November 29, 2019
Here is a look from some of the highways across the state that are open, but slick. In order they are: I-17 near SR 179, SR 69 near Dewey, SR 77 at Holbrook and US 60 at Wickenburg. pic.twitter.com/0QLajtG2SE
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 29, 2019
SR 87 is open between the Valley and Payson, but there will be winter driving conditions. These pictures are from near Mt. Ord and then just south of Payson. Delay travel if you can and drive carefully! pic.twitter.com/T80oUb91jf
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 29, 2019
The forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of rain today, mostly before 11 a.m., then partly sunny with another chance of rain this evening.