Flood-warning devices go into place on 2 more Maricopa County roads

PHOENIX — Two Maricopa County agencies have teamed up to create and install warning devices at certain road crossings to keep drivers from entering flooded washes.

The Flood Control District of Maricopa County and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation have put two of the automated mechanisms in place on county roads since July.

When one of the low-flow crossings is flooded, the automated device’s warning lights will flash. The activation goes into effect based on the amount of rainfall and streamflow data that Flood Control has recorded.

“Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups,” Bill Wiley, chief engineer and general manager for Flood Control, said in a post on the county website.

“Flash floods are dangerous. We want drivers to be flood smart and stay away when they see those lights flash.”

Officials said nearly half of all flash flood fatalities were related to vehicles and County Supervisor Steve Chucri said, “Many flash flood fatalities occur at night.”

The flashing lights should help reduce accidents, he said.

The latest devices were placed at Bartlett Lake Road at Camp Creek Wash and Old Stage Road at New River, joining gadgets already in use at Patton Road at Hassayampa River and Salome Highway at Delaney Wash.

More devices were planned for other locations over the next few years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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