Yuma, Arizona Experiences Severe Thunderstorm
A strong thunderstorm swept through Yuma County on Monday, causing significant disruptions like downed power lines, flooded streets, and school closures.
According to Arizona Public Services, eight power poles were knocked down in Yuma, leaving around 5,000 customers without electricity during the storm. Crews continued their efforts to restore power on Tuesday. Additionally, some schools decided to cancel classes as the storm damaged both pipes and air conditioning systems.
“It was sunny, so it felt odd when the storm rolled in suddenly,” shared Valeria, a local resident.
Flash flooding was reported just to the west in Imperial County, California, where dozens of drivers, including a man from Yuma, found themselves stuck on highway 86.
Floodwaters overturned semi-trucks and left at least 20 vehicles stranded. Yuma resident Jerimia Kelly said she encountered rising water after returning from Modesto. “We couldn’t see what was in front of us, and then suddenly, there was a flipped truck and just water everywhere,” Kelly recounted.
She mentioned being trapped on the highway for nearly three hours, with the water rising to about two feet. “It was frightening. It escalated really fast.” Kelly added.
Firefighters from Imperial County noted that in some areas, water levels rose over four feet. Operations Chief Cedric Cecena issued a warning to drivers to heed flood alerts seriously. “The truth is, if you ignore the warnings, it could be fatal. Floodwaters can easily sweep your vehicle away,” Cecena stated.
Thankfully, no major injuries have been reported across either county. However, Cecena expressed concern about the potential for more rain, noting that the ground was already saturated, which increases the chances of spills and flash flooding.
Some residents in Yuma and Imperial Counties remained without power on Tuesday. A cooling center was established to provide relief for those struggling with the heat.
The American Red Cross of Imperial County opened emergency shelters for individuals affected by the situation, with around 40 people spending the night there.
