The weather suddenly took a fierce form on the evening of August 13 in Phoenix and its surrounding areas of the US state of Arizona. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning till 10 pm. This warning was especially for Maricopa County, which is the most densely populated area of Arizona and the people here are familiar with such storms, but every time their danger is different and new. The Meteorological Department clarified that this storm can be extremely dangerous and in the areas affected by it, not only will there be loss of property, but the risk of life will also increase.
Strong winds
According to meteorologists, the speed of winds during this storm is likely to reach 60 miles per hour (about 96 kilometers per hour). Such strong winds are considered extremely dangerous under normal conditions. This speed is enough to uproot small trees, break branches of large trees and blow off pieces of the roofs of houses. In rural areas where houses are made of wood and light construction materials, the impact of such storms is even greater.
Strong winds not only damage houses and trees but also pose a danger to vehicles moving on the road. For trucks, buses and large trailers, this speed can unbalance them, increasing the chances of road accidents manifold. Apart from this, flying debris can also pose a serious threat to people and animals.
Danger of hail
In this storm, not only wind but also a warning was given of hailstones of 0.75 inches (about 1.9 centimeters) in size. Hailstones of such a large size may look small to the naked eye, but when they fall with strong winds, their impact is extremely deadly. Vehicle glass can break, house windows can be damaged and people present outside can get seriously injured.
The effect of hailstones is even more dangerous in agricultural areas. Even a few minutes of hailstorm can completely destroy the standing crop in the fields. This effect is immediately visible, especially on the crops of vegetables, fruits and grains.
Center of the storm and affected area
According to the Meteorological Department report, at this time a powerful storm was formed over Tolleson. The surprising thing was that this storm was almost stationary. Generally, storms move at a certain speed, but when a storm remains in one place for a long time, the danger for the people there increases manifold, because the effect of continuous rain, wind and hailstorms keeps accumulating.
The impact of this storm was felt in these major areas:
- Phoenix
- Glendale
- Avondale
- Goodyear
- Tolleson
- Laveen
- Cashion
- Glendale Sports Complex
- Arizona State Fairgrounds
- Phoenix International Raceway
- Downtown Peoria
- Downtown Glendale
- Camelback Ranch
All these places are part of the Phoenix metropolitan area and a large population lives here. In such a situation, it was very important to follow the weather department’s warning in these areas.
Effect on highways and traffic
The biggest danger of the storm is the traffic. The warning clearly stated that visibility can be very low during this time.
Main highways affected:
- Interstate 10 (mile marker 128 to 144)
- Interstate 17 (mile markers 199 to 202)
- U.S. 60 (mile markers 150 to 160)
Later, the weather service warned these roads could also be affected by rain and storms:
- Interstate 17 (mile markers 215 to 229)
- Loop 101 (mile markers 22 to 32)
- SR 51 (mile markers 14 to 15)
The traffic police and the Department of Transportation also urged people to get the latest weather information before traveling and postpone travel if not necessary.
The Weather Department’s dire warning
The National Weather Service said:
“For your safety, immediately go inside a sturdy building, and if possible, take shelter in an interior room on a lower floor. This storm is expected to produce large hail, dangerous winds and frequent lightning. Remember, lightning is one of nature’s biggest killers. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning.”
This warning was not just a formal statement but a clear message to save lives.
Scene during the storm
At 8:40 p.m., torrential rain began to fall from the sky near State Route 51 and Indian School Road in Phoenix. The roads were filled with water in an instant and the headlights of vehicles began to shine on the layer of water. Meanwhile, lightning and thunder near Tatum Boulevard and Bell Road made the atmosphere even more terrifying.
Shortly after, before 8:50 p.m., light rain was recorded near Bethany Home Road and 16th Street, but the thunder continued. Many people shared photos of the sky on social media, which clearly showed thick clouds, lightning and strong winds.
People’s reactions and precautions
Many residents said that they had made preparations in advance. Loose objects kept outside the houses were taken inside, vehicles were parked in the garage and temporary covers were put on the window panes. However, there were many people who did not take the warning seriously and later suffered losses.
Conclusion
This storm in Phoenix and Maricopa County is once again a reminder of how helpless humans can be in the face of nature. Only timely warning and its compliance can protect life and property in such situations. The days ahead The weather may change again in the coming days, so residents should remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.
