Strong storm slams Phoenix, knocking out power and delaying flights

A severe storm slammed into the Phoenix area on Saturday, causing power outages, flooding and delayed flights at Sky Harbor International Airport.

The airport received 1.59 inches of rain, setting a new record and blowing past the old record of 1.46 inches, the National Weather Service has said, the Arizona Republic reports.

In addition to plenty of rain, there were also strong winds up to 60 mph, which caused an evacuation of the air-traffic control tower. A ground stop was instituted, delaying flights headed into the city.

"The wind caused some damage to the roof of Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area and in some of the gate areas," Sky Harbor spokeswoman Julie Rodriguez said in a statement, notes ABC News. "However, all three terminals at Sky Harbor are operational."

With heavy rain and wind, law enforcement had to shut down some streets, including a section of Interstate 17. As the wind tore branches of trees and knocked over a traffic light, the power went out to at least 31,000 homes, the Salt River Project said.

The poor weather, with some out in Buckeye claimed included hail, shut down the second day of the Summer Ends Music Festival being held at the Tempe Beach Park.