Flash flood watch issued for southern, south-central Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Much of southern and south-central Arizona will be under flash flood watches through Wednesday evening as tropical moisture associated with Hurricane Newton flows into the region.

Watch areas includes Phoenix, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Safford and Globe.

According to the National Weather Service in Tucson, heavy rains likely will hit Santa Cruz County, eastern Pima County and western Cochise County.

Sierra Vista police warned citizens Tuesday that several inches of rain and wind gusts of up to 30 mph could hit the city beginning early Wednesday.

Weather Service forecasters say flash flooding in normally dry washes and low-lying areas will be possible from numerous showers and thunderstorms.

Tucson and Nogales were providing sandbags for its residents ahead of the anticipated rainfall.