Hurricane hitting Tucson as we speak

Yep, here comes Odile...

Tropical Rainstorm Odile will unload tremendous rainfall over a large part of the Southwest United States that will run off the mountains and into the desert valleys and plains through the end of the week.

While the rain will continue to ease the long-term drought in the region, too much rain will fall too quickly for the landscape to absorb.

AccuWeather.com Chief Operating Officer Evan Myers and Western Weather Expert Ken Clark discuss the heavy rainfall and flooding risk in detail below:



"There is the potential for devastating, catastrophic and historic flooding in this scenario," Clark stated in an interview.

Heavy rainfall will hit southeastern Arizona and much of New Mexico, where a general 3 to 6 inches are forecast. However, local amounts of 10 inches or more are possible on the slopes of the mountains from southeast of Tucson, Arizona, to central New Mexico. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches per hour can occur.

There is a significant risk to lives and property in the region.

"Not only will flash and urban flooding occur in this case, but there is the potential for major river flooding," Clark said.

Since early Tuesday, nearly 2 inches of rain has fallen on Deming, New Mexico, with close to an inch at Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Near Stafford, Arizona, 2.6 inches of rain fell in six hours early Wednesday morning. The amount of rain and rainfall rates will continue to ramp up in parts of the Southwest through Thursday.

This is the type of threat that can cause water to sweep through normally dry stream beds, called arroyos, and into villages, towns and major cities rapidly. Major roads can be damaged and some bridges along secondary roads could be swept away. Mudslides and dust storms can block roads in a few locations.

"Travel on Interstate-10 between El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix will be dangerous," Clark said.

A safer route from the Plains to California will be I-40, but delays and poor visibility are possible due to heavy rain.

The rain from Odile is coming just one week after moisture from Norbert drenched the region, creating major flooding.

Some areas around Phoenix and Las Vegas are still cleaning up.

I gotta remember to call my daughter. Stay off those roads, Cass.

I'm good Hon thanks...got 4 inches....it was bad Tuesday night too and just dropped a load now.....we've been draining the pool.....luckily I didn't work yesterday .....roads were okay but lots of debris this morning.

now we sit and wait to see what Polo brings.....

Right. Well just don't go out unless you have to.

Daughter has a house in the Catalina foothills. I worry about those roads...every dip in River Road is a potential flash flood.

Original Quill wrote:Right. Well just don't go out unless you have to.

Daughter has a house in the Catalina foothills. I worry about those roads...every dip in River Road is a potential flash flood.

yes sir! lol

did you see the flooding in Phoenix on I-17 2 weeks ago? unbelievable. we were right there last weekend and apart from the canal being full you wouldn't have known it had happened.

it seems to have rained much in the night but seems most of my travel routes are open. 30-60% chance of more rain today.....monsoon is going out with a bang.

hope your gal is ok too

Shades of the 1983 flood, but they say this is worse. Bet the Salt River is flowing above-ground nowadays.

I just worry about people, like daughter and you, in times like this. It's so easy to not see the potential danger. She drives from the Catalinas to TMC and there are plenty of danger spots in that span.

Looks like Polo is veering to the west of Los Angeles. But the water intrusion will still be there. That's the worry in the desert.

Y'all be careful, heah?

yes dad xx

more rain today but not as heavy......hopefully no flooding.