A flood watch was issued across parts of south-eastern Arizona as forecasters warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding in the Tucson area and surrounding mountain ranges.
The watch ran from 1pm Mountain Standard Time on Thursday until 5am on Friday, covering Tucson, Green Valley, Marana and Vail, as well as Mount Lemmon and Summerhaven.
It also included the Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys near Nogales, the Upper San Pedro River Valley around Sierra Vista and Benson, and the Dragoon, Mule, Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains, including Bisbee, the Canelo Hills and Madera Canyon.
The National Weather Service said excessive rainfall could lead to flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and near streams, rivers and other drainage routes.
As storms developed, separate flash flood warnings were issued in parts of Cochise County. Forecasters reported that between 1in and 1.5in of rain had fallen near the junction of Arizona Routes 181 and 186, close to Chiricahua National Monument, with further rainfall possible.
Residents and visitors were urged to take care around flooded roads and avoid travelling through flowing water, while campers and hikers were advised to keep away from streams and creeks during periods of heavy rain.
