Aug 16, 2021
A shortwave trough rotating through the region led to steepening lapse rates and increasingly unstable conditions across central Arizona on the 16th. With abundant moisture and high CAPE values in place, the environment was favorable for the development of strong to severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms initially developed over the high terrain of eastern Arizona before racing toward the west/southwest into the lower deserts of south-central Arizona as a line of strong to severe thunderstorms. The
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 983653). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Gila County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.