Road closures linger after monsoon storm
Wind and rain downed trees and power lines across Valley
Sections of several major streets in Scottsdale remained closed Thursday because of damage from thunderstorms that pummeled the Phoenix area with rain and strong wind Wednesday night.
The powerful monsoon storm downed trees and power lines Valleywide and left thousands without power.
Nearly 350 trees were reported to have fallen or been uprooted by Wednesday night’s storm, said James Uglem, vice president of Top Quality Lawn & Grounds Service, a landscape, irrigation and maintenance company.
Uglem said the downed trees damaged parking structures, buildings, cars and motorcycles. Uglem said that he and his crews began moving trees out of roadways, sidewalks and other areas Thursday morning.
Road closures were issued Thursday morning in Scottsdale because of downed power lines, said Officer Kevin Watts, a Scottsdale police spokesman.
The area near the McDowell Mountain National/Regional Park Hunting Area saw almost 2 inches of rain, data from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County show.
The Pinnacle Peak area, near Golf Club Scottsdale, saw a little more than an inch and a half of rain, reports said. Surrounding spots close to Pima and Happy Valley roads saw 1.3 inches of
rain Wednesday night.
Arizona Public Service and the Salt River Project reported that more than 50,000 customers combined were without power during the height of Wednesday night’s storm. Customers in the East Valley and Scottsdale were the most affected.
Monsoon storms were in the forecast again Thursday evening in southern and central Arizona, the National Weather Service said. Strong wind, dust and flooding were possible.