Newton brings rain, humidity to Southwest
PHOENIX — Less intense remnants of Tropical Storm Newton brought rain, powerful winds and uncharacteristically high humidity to desert cities in Arizona on Wednesday after pummeling the Mexican resort city of Cabo San Lucas and killing four people.
About 2 1/2 inches of rain fell in the border city of Nogales and nearly an inch in Tucson. In both cities, dozens of people picked up sandbags faster than they could be filled in anticipation of the storm. However, both places only experienced minor flooding thanks in part to the rainfall’s moderate pace.
“We did everything we could to be ready. Thank God nothing happened,” said Alejandro Barcenas, director of Nogales’ Department of Public Works.
Newton also was packing less of a punch than expected in New Mexico. Western portions of the state were not getting the 3-4 inches of rain forecasters initially feared, according to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. Officials said flash-flood warnings could be dropped by late Wednesday.
However, Gov. Susana Martinez activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center in case of more severe storms.
The most noticeable shift in the weather from Newton occurred in the form of muggy conditions that seemed more fitting of New Orleans or Miami than the desert.