Summer storm delays flights, causes power outages in Phoenix
PHOENIX — A summer storm in Phoenix brought lightning, strong winds and sheets of rain that flooded streets, delayed flights and left thousands of people temporarily without power Thursday evening.
The storms made for a frightful commute for motorists as torrents of water poured from darkened skies onto Phoenix roadways and power outages turned off stoplights. Emergency vehicles rushed through the opposite lane of traffic amid broken tree limbs as cars clogged the other side of the road.
Huge trees were uprooted, blocking traffic, and especially heavy street flooding was reported in nearby Tempe.
The roof of an unoccupied furniture store collapsed, apparently under the weight of water, and fire authorities said there was also flooding at a neighbouring supermarket. No injuries were reported.