Flood Threat Maps as Deadly Monsoon Hits Four States at Once
Three people have drowned, including one juvenile, as dangerous monsoonal moisture continues to inundate the Four Corners region.
A deadly monsoon has struck four states simultaneously, leaving three individuals deceased and prompting numerous flood warnings across the Southwest. The North American Monsoon, typically associated with increased rainfall in the U.S. Southwest, has brought excessive moisture to New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado this week.
As of Wednesday, the threat had turned fatal, with the Navajo Police Department Shiprock District in New Mexico responding to a possible drowning where two adults and a juvenile were found dead. The flood threat is expected to persist into Thursday, with AccuWeather predicting as much as a foot of rain, a rare occurrence, although widespread rainfall of 12 inches is not anticipated.
The storm has characteristics of a Tropical Rainstorm, capable of producing heavy rainfall rates that could result in significant flash flooding risks. Flood watches are in place across most of Arizona, western New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and southern and central Utah. NOAA defines a monsoon as a shift in winds that can lead to either a rainy or dry season.
Summer monsoons can bring heavy rainfall due to humid air being carried in by winds. Although most flood watches will expire by Wednesday night, experts warn that the flood threat could extend into Thursday. Residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant, adhere to local weather guidance, and prepare for potential evacuation, as most flood fatalities occur in vehicles.
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