Precipitation from weakened Hurricane Norbert swept over the desert Southwest, producing record rainfall in Phoenix and flash flooding across Southern California on Monday, the Weather Channel reports. The National Weather Service (NWS) measured a new record of 2.99 inches of rain by early-morning in Phoenix. Phoenix’s rainfall average is 2.71 inches for the entire summer rainy season. The last time Phoenix received this much rain was during 1933 when the city recorded 2.91 inches.
Interstates 10 and 17 in West Phoenix and Tucson resembled small lakes, due to heavy thunderstorms and rainfall brought by Norbert. Many drivers weren’t able to see the flooding during the early morning hours until it was too late. They scrambled to escape their flooded cars, seeking refuge on top of SUVs or made it safely to dry ground. One Tucson woman died after her car was swept about two blocks by rushing water about 10 feet deep and became trapped against a bridge, said Tucson Fire Department spokesman Barrett Baker.
Dozens of motorists who were able to stop their cars before reaching flooded sections of the interstates told the Associated Press that they attempted to rescue stuck drivers. Joseph Friend assisted in helping a stranded motorist on the top of her car, after abandoning his pickup truck after a big wave washed over it.
“She was asking for help and nobody went out there, so I went out there and helped her out,” Friend said. “I was already soaked anyway. ”
Norbert weakened to a Category 1 hurricane late Saturday night before being declared a tropical depression on Monday, but not before causing damage to more than 1,000 homes and forcing hundreds to flee to higher ground in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The NWS issued flash flood, high surf, and strong rip current warnings across the San Diego valley through Monday evening.