Relentless rain shifts east as flooding threat remains for parts of water-logged Southwest
Storms are forecast to continue to shift east through Saturday.
Multiday Southwest flood threat winds down heading into the weekend
After days of rain and storms across the Southwest, things seem to be winding down heading into Saturday. Some isolated flooding is possible across New Mexico Friday and Saturday.
THE TAKEAWAY
- A Level 1 out of 4 flash risk covered parts of the Four Corners on Friday and Saturday.
- At least 3 people died as a monsoon-fueled storm triggered heavy rain and flooding.
- Storms weaken as they shift east.
The relentless flood threat plaguing the Southwest this week is finally winding down, following deadly flash flooding in New Mexico on Wednesday.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) issued a Level 1 out of 4 risk of flash flooding Friday for parts of eastern Arizona, eastern Utah and much of Colorado and New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Denver.
A confirmed tornado touched down Friday in the mountains east of Fruit Heights, Utah, with astonishing video capturing the twister on the ground.
MUST WATCH: High elevation Utah tornado caught-on-camera spinning at 7,500 feet
A confirmed tornado touched down Friday in the mountains east of Fruit Heights, Utah, with astonishing video capturing the twister on the ground. The National Weather Service said the tornado touched down shortly after 1:50 p.m. MDT along a ridgeline near Francis Peak in Davis County at an elevation of about 7,500 feet, as severe thunderstorms moved through northern Utah
The National Weather Service said the tornado touched down shortly after 1:50 p.m. MDT along a ridgeline near Francis Peak in Davis County at an elevation of about 7,500 feet, as severe thunderstorms moved through northern Utah.
Storms are forecast to continue to shift east through Saturday.
(FOX Weather)
A level 1 out of 4 flood threat covers parts of southern and central New Mexico, as well as Colorado and Texas, Kansas and other states to the east.
However, even limited rainfall can still trigger flash floods.
An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible in some of the areas with the most saturated soil.
(FOX Weather)
The worst of the flooding occurred earlier in the week on Wednesday.
The Navajo Police Department said two adults and a young person drowned in flash flooding near Newcomb, New Mexico, just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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Image 1 of 3A Maricopa County Sheriff's Office helicopter responded to a flooded car on State Route 238 on Wednesday. (Goodyear Fire Department)
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Image 2 of 3A Maricopa County Sheriff's Office helicopter responded to a flooded car on State Route 238 on Wednesday. (Goodyear Fire Department)
![Monsoon thunderstorms trigger flash flooding washing out part of Highway 491 in Newcomb, New Mexico, on Sep. 16, 2026.]()
Image 3 of 3Monsoon thunderstorms trigger flash flooding, washing out part of Highway 491 in Newcomb, New Mexico, on Sep. 16, 2026. (Navajo Police Department)
NOAA received over 30 flash flood reports across Arizona as inches of rain fell in the span of an hour or two Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency crews carried out water rescues in Scottsdale, with several vehicles stranded in about two feet in standing water, according to the fire department. Water rescues were also reported in the Phoenix area.
18-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO DEADLY CHELAN HILLS FIRE IN WASHINGTON THIS SUMMER
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office rescued two stranded motorists by helicopter Wednesday after heavy flooding overwhelmed State Route 238 between Maricopa and Gila Bend, Arizona.
"These situations happened extremely quick and are very dangerous. Our pilots and crew have experience with these situations but are still extremely dangerous and difficult," the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
The National Park Service said there was a flash flood Wednesday afternoon along Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River and the North Rim Campground, the site of deadly floods last month. Parts of the North Rim were closed during the height of the storm Wednesday.
Crews walk through the damage and debris left behind by flooding.
(Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)
The Southwest monsoon season typically lasts though the end of September.