Rain sets record for Phoenix; commute snarled

PHOENIX (AP) — Heavy storms pounded the Phoenix area early Monday, flooding major freeways, prompting several water rescues and setting an all-time single-day record for rainfall in the desert city.

Sections of Interstate 10 and 17 in west Phoenix were closed during the morning commute. A state Department of Public Safety officer used the roof of his SUV to carry three stranded motorists out of a flooded area of I-10.

The National Weather Service recorded 2.99 inches of rain by about 7 a.m., breaking the old record of 2.91 inches set in 1933.

Tempe police say part of a grocery store’s roof collapsed because of the rain, but none of the people inside was injured.

Scattered electricity outages were reported in the metro area with over 10,000 customers losing power.

Numerous school systems and colleges either closed schools or delayed openings.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up