Mon Oct 13 19:50:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Severe Thunderstorms, Flash Floods Threaten Maricopa and Pinal Counties**

Phoenix, AZ – The National Weather Service has issued multiple severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona today. Residents are urged to seek shelter and avoid flooded areas.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for both counties until 1:30 p.m. MST. At 12:48 p.m. MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Chandler Fashion Center Mall, or near Sun Lakes, moving north at 35 mph, bringing the threat of damaging winds up to 60 mph and hail as large as one inch in diameter.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Maricopa County and Pinal County until 4:15 p.m. MST. Trained weather spotters have reported heavy rainfall across the warned area, with up to 0.75 inches of rain already fallen and an expected rainfall rate of 0.5 inches every 10 minutes. Flash flooding is either occurring now or expected to begin shortly.

Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service in Tucson issued its own severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for Pinal County. As of 12:28 p.m. MST, Doppler radar indicated between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain had already fallen in the area, particularly affecting Eloy, Picacho, and Picacho Peak State Park. Key locations facing risk of flash flooding are Picacho, Picacho Peak State Park, Pinal Airpark and Red Rock.

**Safety Precautions:**

The National Weather Service urges residents to take the following precautions:

* Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and stay away from windows.
* Do not drive through flooded roadways. “Turn around, don’t drown,” is the advice.

Arizona’s monsoon season, running from June 15 to September 30, typically brings intense heat, moisture, and atmospheric instability, creating afternoon storms. However, these types of storms can happen year-round. A severe thunderstorm warning indicates winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail an inch in diameter or larger. The desert landscape is particularly susceptible to flash flooding, which can occur rapidly with heavy rainfall, even miles from the source.

Stay tuned to local weather reports and heed all warnings from authorities.

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**Summary of the text:**

The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona. Residents are advised to seek shelter due to threats of strong winds, large hail, and torrential rainfall leading to flash flooding. The warnings were issued by both the Phoenix and Tucson branches of the NWS and cover different time spans and specific areas. These warnings are common in Arizona and more frequent during the monsoon season. The public is strongly cautioned against driving through flooded roadways and told to seek sturdy shelter.

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