Arizona flood threat grows as Scotland cleans up after Storm Boelo
Arizona was still dealing with flooded roads early Saturday, and Scotland was still cleaning up after Storm Boelo, which cut power to more than 100,000 homes and killed one man. Another round of rain is expected in Arizona Saturday night, when flood watches begin across much of the state and run into early Monday.
Past 24 Hours
Storm Boelo left flooded communities, blocked roads and long power outages across Scotland after strong winds and heavy rain swept the country. More than 100,000 homes lost electricity, the Scottish Government said, and police said a man died in the Castle Douglas area after a falling tree struck him. In Ballantrae, 15 guests were helped to safety from a flooded caravan park, and many local roads remained shut because of debris and fallen trees, Police Scotland said.
In central Arizona, overnight rain pushed runoff over roads and into washes in Maricopa and Gila counties. Indian Bend Wash in Maricopa County rose above alarm stage after 1 to 3 inches of rain, the National Weather Service said. Tonto Creek north of Tonto Basin also rose above action stage in Gila County, where low-water crossings were inundated.
Heavy rain also flooded property in Armenia. The Armenian Rescue Service said rescuers were called to Yerevan's Avan district and several addresses in Kotayk province after water built up during Friday's downpour. Crews pumped out about 27 tons of water before utility workers arrived.
What's Happening Now
No tropical cyclones were active Saturday in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific or central Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Coastal flooding also remains in play in Florida. A coastal flood warning is in effect for the Upper and Middle Florida Keys through early Sunday, where the National Weather Service says major flooding could close numerous roads and inundate homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure. Another coastal flood warning covers eastern Putnam County through early Sunday, where significant flooding may also close roads and cover low-lying property.
Across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, a high surf advisory and a rip current statement remain in effect into Sunday, the National Weather Service in Guam said. No tropical cyclones were active in Micronesia.
Outlook Through Tonight
The next stretch of dangerous weather is setting up from southern California into the Desert Southwest and Four Corners. The Weather Prediction Center said the heavy rain threat would renew Saturday evening, with impactful flash flooding possible in the Great Basin and Four Corners on Sunday as more rain falls on saturated ground.
Arizona carries the broadest flood risk through tonight. A flood watch covers all of northern and central Arizona from 11 p.m. MST Saturday through 5 a.m. MST Monday, with another 1 to 3 inches of rain possible over already saturated ground. Separate flood watches also begin Saturday night for the Tucson metro area, the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Upper San Pedro River Valley, eastern Cochise County and western Pima County, including Ajo and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
The Storm Prediction Center said no severe thunderstorms are forecast anywhere in the U.S. through tonight.