Flood flood watches and warnings have been issued for most of Maricopa County on Wednesday as heavy rains hit the Phoenix area.

A flood watch was in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday for the area, with the flash flood warning for areas including Mesa, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, the Desert Ridge area, McDowell Mountain Park, and Deer Valley Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

The flash flood warning was in effect until about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The alerts said about 1 to 2 inches of rain had fallen in those areas, and another 1 to 2 inches was possible through ongoing storms.

The flood watch area was through most of centeral and eastern Arizona, with Phoenix areas expected to get up to 1 inche of rain with higher elevations getting up to 2 inches. 

The NWS said Valley residents should be cautious while out, including:

• Never driving through flooded roads and low-water crossings.
• Watching for ponding of water on roads.
• Being aware while near rivers, creeks, streams and washes.
• Having an evacution plan and emergency kit ready.

Rain could continue into Thursday morning in some areas of the state, according to the NWS.