A strong monsoon thunderstorm ripped through Tucson Saturday evening, leaving more than 10,000 customers without power, snapping trees and sending floodwaters through streets and washes across the city.
Where the damage showed up
Emergency calls and photos shared with local news outlets show downed limbs and several flooded neighborhoods. On the southeast side, near Golf Links Road and Kolb Road, a vehicle was found nearly submerged in a wash. No one was inside the car when it was discovered; authorities have not confirmed any injuries.
"We saw the storm, and it was pretty crazy. It was really windy, we couldn't see across the street. We saw the trees were going, we thought they were gonna snap in two."
The remark came from a nearby resident who watched the storm from her home and described the water rushing through washes. Once flows subsided, neighbors pushed the stranded vehicle out of the wash.
Local response and immediate impacts
Utility crews worked through the evening to restore power to affected customers. City public works and fire departments responded to reports of flooded roadways and downed trees. Drivers were urged to avoid low-water crossings and to never attempt to drive through moving floodwater.
- Power outages: More than 10,000 customers affected.
- Flooding: Streets, washes and at least one vehicle submerged.
- Storm path: Widespread impacts across Tucson, including southeast neighborhoods.
What residents should know
This storm is another reminder that monsoon season brings fast-developing hazards: intense rain rates that produce flash flooding, strong winds that down trees and power lines, and sudden drops in visibility on roadways. The same weather pattern is forecast to continue through the coming week, with additional storms expected to move through the region.
| Incident | Details |
|---|---|
| Power outages | More than 10,000 customers without power |
| Vehicle in wash | Submerged car near Golf Links & Kolb; no occupant at discovery |
| Downed trees / flooding | Multiple locations across Tucson; crews responded |
As always during monsoon season, residents should monitor local forecasts, allow extra travel time, avoid flooded streets and heed advisories from utility and public safety officials. City and utility crews will continue restoration and cleanup work while tracking additional storms this week.
Reporting from the ground in Tucson, this event underscores how quickly monsoon conditions can shift from a light shower to dangerous flooding and wind, reinforcing the need for preparedness across neighborhoods.
