The numbers are just coming in, but the damage from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Norbert is expected to be among the worst experienced by the Southwestern United States in over 40 years. Already proven to be the wettest day in Arizona history, the tropical storm tore through Mexico, Arizona, and Baja California, causing over $100 Million in damage, at least five deaths, and overall chaos throughout the region. Sadly, the most substantial damage took place in Arizona, as the state experienced the most rain it has ever registered over a 24-hour period and infrastructure struggled to deal with the substantially increased flow of water (which represented “more than the combined rainfall total for all of June, July, and August”).
What’s Happening?
Here are some shocking statistics from the record-setting weather experienced during the early week:
- According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the rainfall equaled a one-in-200 year rainfall event.
- Roughly one out of three rain gauges in Maricopa County recorded all-time rainfall records
- The rains in Chandler equaled a one-in-1000 year rainfall event, while Mesa registered somewhere in between a one-in-500 and a one-in-1000 year event.
- A state of emergency has been declared in Phoenix for the precipitation, a rarity for a state that accounted for less than 50,000 insurance policies in 2013
- Multiple major freeways were flooded throughout the state, including the US60 and I10. Both were closed in certain capacities.
- Late Monday Morning, nearly 10,000 homes were without power as a result of the flooding.
- Schools were closed throughout the state, as flooding blocked major routes to school.
- At least two deaths have been reported in Arizona as a direct result of the floods, including a n unidentified woman in her 50s whose car was swept away by the flood.
- Nevada and Mexico were also heavily affected by the storms, with Nevada’s northeast Clark County and Moapa Paiute Tribe Reservation declaring states of emergency.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most widespread natural disasters in Arizona history and, as property damage statistics continue to come in, we will soon be able to see the full extent of what Norbert has wrought throughout the state of Arizona.
A Fluid Situation
Remember; if you live in the areas most affected by the storm, the state of emergency has not been lifted yet. Many areas of Mesa and Phoenix are still under water, as further rain on Tuesday and Wednesday exacerbated the issue and continued to thwart emergency operators’ attempts at getting the situation under control. So, until the situation is no longer considered fluid, stay safe, and do your best to avoid endangered roadways.
We will continue to provide updates as they come.
The rest of the story can be found in its original capacity here. Continue reading Spectrum Association Management’s blog for more updates on the situation, and to learn more about what you can do to help your neighborhood if it has been affected by Hurricane Norbert.
