The National Weather Service in Tucson issued Tucson weather warnings on Saturday, July 11, for Pima County, including Tucson and Mount Lemmon, as storms brought 60 mph wind gusts, hail, and flash flooding. One flash flood warning lasted until 8 p.m. MST, while a severe thunderstorm warning for Northeastern Pima County was set to expire at 6:45 p.m. MST.
At 6 p.m. MST, Doppler radar showed thunderstorms producing between 0.75 and 1.25 inches in the past half hour across the eastern portions of the Tucson Metro Area. The National Weather Service said that flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly in drainages that fill into Agua Caliente and Tanque Verde Creek.
Eastern Pima County at 8 p.m. MST
The Flash Flood Warning for Eastern Pima County covered Tucson, Tanque Verde, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Saguaro National Park East, Catalina Foothills, and Seven Falls. It also included Harrison Rd at Pantano Wash, Agua Caliente Wash from Soldier Trl to Fort Lowell, Wentworth Rd at Tanque Verde Wash, Tanque Verde Loop Rd at Tanque Verde Wash, Escalante Rd at Atterbury Wash, Freeman Rd between Broadway and Old Spanish Trail, and Limberlost Rd from Soilder Trail to Homestead Ave.
The warning said small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, and other poor drainage and low-lying areas could flood. The National Weather Service told residents: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
Tanque Verde at 5:57 p.m. MST
At 6:09 p.m. MST, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Northeastern Pima County until 6:45 p.m. MST. At 5:57 p.m. MST, a severe thunderstorm was located over Tanque Verde and moving west at 20 mph.
That warning listed 60 mph wind gusts and small hail as hazards and said damage to roofs, siding, and trees was expected. Locations in the warning included Tucson, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Casas Adobes, Drexel Heights, Flowing Wells, Tanque Verde, South Tucson, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Catalina Foothills, Tucson International Airport, Saguaro National Park East, Rita Ranch, and Seven Falls, along with Interstate 19, Route 86, Route 77, and Interstate 10 between the listed mile markers.
Mount Lemmon and Summerhaven
A separate severe thunderstorm warning was in effect until 6 p.m. MST. At 5:28 p.m. MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven and moving west at 10 mph.
That warning listed 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail, with hail damage to vehicles expected and wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees expected. The only location named in that warning was Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven, and the National Weather Service told people to "Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds."
