Carefree Highway reopens after multiple flood rescues - CBS 5 - KPHO

UPDATE

Carefree Highway reopens after multiple flood rescues

Posted: Updated:
Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road
Storm in Deer Valley at 4:47 p.m. Tuesday Storm in Deer Valley at 4:47 p.m. Tuesday
PHOENIX (CBS5) -

Carefree Highway west of I-17 to Lake Pleasant has reopened after heavy rains Tuesday forced the rescue of an infant and at least eight other people from the flooded well-traveled highway.

No injuries were reported during the rescue operations.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the speed is restricted to 35 mph in the section of the roadway where ponding is occurring.

Phoenix fire Capt. Scott McDonald told CBS 5 News three vehicles were stuck in fast moving floodwaters. 

The monsoon delivered a drenching blow Tuesday in the latest round of severe weather to hit the Valley this season.

Anthem was pounded by flooding rains. Anthem Way, the community's major road, looked more like a river channel. Many residents said they couldn't remember a worse storm.

Anthem's Safeway store ordered everyone out when it appeared the roof might collapse.

A flash-flood warning remained in effect until midnight for north central Maricopa County, including Anthem and New River.

Several trained spotters reported from 1 to 2 inches of rain within one hour in the Anthem area. Radar estimated between 2 and 3 inches of rain in the warning area since 6 p.m., forecasters said.

CBS 5 viewer Murray Gordon clicked on the CBS 5 Action Button to report his outdoor rain gauge measured 4 1/2 inches of rain during the storm. 

Flash flooding occurred along the Deadman Wash from Anthem southwestward across Interstate 17 to the Carefree Highway.

Two miles north of Anthem, a weather spotter reported trees torn up and up to half of an inch of hail covering the ground. 

Deer Valley Airport recorded a wind gust of 64 mph, said CBS 5 Chief Meteorologist Chris Dunn.

There was a report of a water rescue call at Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road, but it was later canceled when a motorist was able to evacuate safely.

Several other Valley roadways and intersections were flooded, including Tatum and Lincoln.

A dust storm warning that had been in effect for the greater Phoenix area was canceled at 6 p.m.

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