Tropical Moisture From Odile Will Bring Historic Rain to Southwest

Odile has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression as it continues its track into Southeastern Arizona -- and flash flood warnings are now in effect for California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The area in green, including Tucson, are some of these places could see 4 to 6 inches of rain over the next two days, with the heaviest falling Wednesday and Thursday.

Rain from Tropical Storm Begins Falling on Arizona

Arizona Prepares for Potentially Historic Floods

On Tuesday, winds gusted 50 to 60 m.p.h. in San Diego County, flipping planes, bringing down trees and lightning causing two palm trees to catch on fire. One fatality has been reported due to flash flooding in San Bernandino County.

The wettest September on record for Tucson is 5.6 inches.

The highest two-day rain total for Tucson was 4.17 inches back in October 1983. This was from the devastating floods brought by Tropical Storm Octave. Known as "The Flood of 1983" it killed 13 people, injured hundreds and left many homes/businesses/buildings/bridges heavily damaged or destroyed.

Above is a map showing the tracks of tropical storms and depressions to affect Arizona since 1965. Southern Arizona experienced flash flooding indirectly associated with a tropical cyclone about once every two years. This is the first time ever that two tropical systems have impacted Arizona in a span of 10 days. Currently, only 8 tropical systems (not counting Odile) have tracked through the Southwest: five tropical storms and three depressions.

Now eyes are beginning to turn to Tropical Storm Polo, the next named storm in the Eastern Pacific, which is following in Odile's footsteps.