The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a flood warning early October 31 for part of Gila County, Arizona, as runoff from earlier rainfall pushed Tonto Creek higher near Tonto Basin.
The warning was issued at 2:57 a.m. Mountain Standard Time and is scheduled to remain in effect until 12:15 p.m. MST Saturday. Those are Arizona local times; the warning does not cover all of the state.
Forecasters said flooding along Tonto Creek and other flood-prone locations was imminent or already occurring. Low-water crossings were inundated and might not be passable.
The bulletin cited a creek gauge north of Tonto Basin that recorded a stage of 4.73 feet at 2:15 a.m. MST. By 2:48 a.m., the Weather Service reported that the gauge had risen above action stage. The gauge observation and the warning's issue time are separate measurements of the unfolding conditions.
The agency specifically warned that Bar X Crossing and other low-water crossings would likely become impassable. It instructed travelers crossing the creek to use the Tonto Creek Bridge.
The Weather Service urged people not to drive on flooded roads. The notice attributes the rising water to excess runoff from previous rainfall; it does not report a new measured rainfall total, injuries or damage.
Sources NWS Phoenix — October 31, 2:57 a.m. MST Flood Warning: https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.7a03a51affa066bb29da3c0017294f2962c3807a.001.1