PHOENIX (AP) – A series of storms dumped more than 4.5 inches of rain on areas north of Phoenix on Tuesday, requiring several dramatic rescues and resulting in many visible examples of damage. Here are some examples of the destruction brought on by the floodwaters:
HOUSE RESCUE
As violent floodwaters submerged a house in New River, two women became trapped with nowhere to go, the home apparently knocked from its foundation. They called for help, and one of them waved a white piece of fabric out a window. The Phoenix Fire Department sent a helicopter and hoisted two rescuers onto the roof to guide the residents to safety. Also saved were three dogs in the house.
WOMAN IN MINIVAN:
A minivan was swamped by rising floodwaters with an older woman inside the vehicle. A rescuer waded through the water, broke out the front driver’s side window and entered the white van. He grabbed the woman and helped escort her to dry land. Two rescuers carried her to a nearby garage and sat her down in a lawn chair.