Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has declared a state of emergency after record-breaking rainfall deluged parts of Phoenix today, reports The Los Angeles Times, and more rain may be on the way. A flash flood watch is in effect for much of central Arizona, including the greater Phoenix area, until 5 p.m. Monday.
Phoenix set a record for the most rainfall in a single day with about 3 inches as of 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The old record of 2.91 inches was set in 1933. Today's rainfall alone totaled more than the 2.71 inches the Phoenix area gets during a typical three-month monsoon season.
Flood waters turned Interstate 10 into a deep canal full of drowned vehicles, and forced the closure of numerous streets. Dozens of schools and the House of Representatives were also closed due to the storms, says the Times. Residents and nonessential state employees were urged to stay home.
Brewer sent a disaster declaration request early Monday to the U.S. Small Business Administration, asking the federal agency to assist residents and businesses in Maricopa County in their recovery from last month's flash floods, which affected more than 350 homes, says the Times.
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