Thousands of Phoenix-area residents lost power Monday evening as a monsoon storm brought heavy rain and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph across the metro area. According to utility companies and the National Weather Service, the storm caused widespread outages and flight delays due to strong winds, brief flooding, and lightning.
SRP reported roughly 17,500 customers affected, including about 12,000 in Maricopa County and 5,000 in Pinal County, while APS had approximately 5,400 customers without power, primarily in Maricopa County, according to AZFamily and ABC15. The outages spanned multiple communities, with SRP citing impacts in east Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Mesa, where 37 separate outages affected about 12,200 customers during the evening. APS reported about 3,000 customers still without power late Monday night as crews worked to restore service.
At the peak of the storm Monday evening, more than 20,000 power customers across the Phoenix metropolitan area were without electricity, according to combined figures from Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona Public Service (APS).
By Tuesday morning, restoration efforts had reduced outages significantly. SRP spokesperson Elaina Steingard said the number of outages dropped to nine, affecting 128 customers early July 14. However, SRP’s outage map showed around 400 customers remained without power in its service area as of 7 a.m. APS reported about 70 customers still without power by 10 a.m., down from roughly 3,000 the previous evening. SRP officials noted that depending on the extent of damage and access for repair crews, some neighborhoods might not have power restored until as late as 3 a.m. Tuesday.
The monsoon storm that struck metro Phoenix on the evening of July 13, 2026, brought a combination of dust, heavy rain and strong winds. The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded wind gusts exceeding 50 mph in parts of the Phoenix area during the storm. A rain gauge in central Phoenix measured 1.26 inches of rain in about one hour, indicating intense localized rainfall. Rainfall totals across the metro area varied by the morning of July 14, with some communities receiving only a few hundredths of an inch while others recorded more than an inch, according to NWS data. The storm moved east to west across the Valley, producing strong winds, brief flooding and lightning, as reported by local television stations.
The storm’s impact extended to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop on Monday evening due to the incoming monsoon conditions. Airport officials temporarily halted flight operations, resuming them once weather conditions improved. Several flights were delayed as the storm passed through the area. At the airport’s official rain gauge, meteorologists reported about 0.20 inches of rain during the monsoon event, less than typical seasonal totals. The combination of strong winds, lightning and heavy rain prompted the FAA and airport authorities to suspend departures and arrivals briefly in accordance with safety protocols.
The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings as the storm approached and moved through the area. A Flash Flood Warning covered parts of Maricopa County, including Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remained in effect for Phoenix until 7:15 p.m. Monday, while a Dust Storm Warning was active until 7:45 p.m., reflecting the initial wall of dust preceding the rain. Officials emphasized hazardous driving conditions caused by reduced visibility from blowing dust and standing water on freeways, as reported by local news outlets.
The Gilbert Fire Department and other local agencies issued safety reminders urging residents to avoid flooded washes and never drive into flowing water. They also warned against approaching downed power lines, noting that the ground can be energized for up to 200 feet around a live wire. The department advised keeping pets indoors during storms and recommended preparedness measures including flashlights with extra batteries, nonperishable food, at least one gallon of clean water per person, backup power for medical devices and cell phones, and a first aid kit readily accessible.
Damage from the storm included downed power lines and scattered debris across metro Phoenix, prompting overnight and morning cleanup efforts. Crews worked through the night and into Tuesday morning to restore power and clear roadways. Local television coverage showed standing water on at least one Phoenix freeway, consistent with brief flooding during the intense downpours. Affected areas ranged from Glendale to Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and parts of Chandler Heights, with SRP reporting numerous outages across the Valley. Residents in south-side Phoenix neighborhoods reported being without power for hours, relying on flashlights, battery backups and alternative cooling methods.
Local meteorologists indicated additional First Alert weather days for extreme heat in the days following the storm, highlighting the risks associated with power outages during high temperatures. The storm’s passage and subsequent recovery efforts underscored the challenges posed by monsoon weather in the Phoenix area during the summer season.
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