Monsoon storm dumps heavy rain, hail over Phoenix metro area

PHOENIX (KSAZ/AP) -- A monsoon storm dumped heavy rain and some hail over many sections of the Phoenix metro area on Thursday.

Cave Creek and Carefree received more than an inch of rain in an hour during the afternoon, which caused some washes to flood. Authorities said street flooding could be expected in Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Tolleson and Laveen. Motorists were being encouraged to stay off the roads until the storm passed.

Besides bringing flash flooding and heavy rain, the storm also trapped some drivers at a neighborhood near 13th Street and Hatcher. At least two people had to be rescued by firefighters.

>>VIDEO: Cars stranded in floodwater

One of the people rescued, Matilda Lytle, spoke to FOX 10 about the ordeal.

"I don't know why he kept driving," said Lytle. "It was so senseless, and I said 'you need to stop! There's water. Fire trucks are down there. What are you doing?' And before I knew it, he just plunged in, you know, like something took over him! Oh my God! Like something took over him, like an alien or something. He just kept driving!"

The driver of the vehicle, Lytle's ex-husband, did not want to talk to camera, but did say this was a lesson for him and everyone else -- to never drive through a flooded wash, even if you think you can make it through.

The storm also brought power outages to a number of power company customers in the Valley.

Arizona has had one of its wettest monsoon seasons in years thus far. The state's monsoon season runs from mid-June to the end of September.