ARIZONA NEWS

Know what to do during 2019 Arizona monsoon season

Jun 14, 2019, 4:30 PM

YouTube video

PHOENIX – Arizona’s unpredictable monsoon season officially begins Saturday.

The season lasts 107 days, ending Sept. 30, with August the peak month for thunderstorm activity.

Last year, storms blew down houses in Buckeye, flooded neighborhoods, knocked down power lines and as usual, also smothered the Valley in dust and heat.

The state’s Emergency Information Network suggested residents keep up with weather news and most of all, stay safe.

During Monsoon Awareness Week, which began Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey said now was the time to get ready.

Here are some tips that can help prepare Arizonans for the coming storms.

Have an action plan

In case of an emergency, know where and when you, family or friends will meet beforehand. If you’re home, have an evacuation route mapped out. Write the plan down and give everyone a copy.

Call out-for-towners to let them know what is going on.

Have an emergency kit

Any emergency supplies should include a first-aid kit and water (1 gallon per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation), Ready.gov recommends.

Use the same time frame for food — a minimum three days’ worth of nonperishable items.

Also stock:

    • coolers and ice
    • important documents
    • candles
    • cellphone with chargers, extra battery
    • batteries
    • battery-powered or hand crank weather radio
    • prescription medications
    • dust mask
    • manual can opener
    • maps

Be safe in a vehicle

Drivers can’t always get off the road in time to avoid a thunder or dust storm.

In its Pull Aside, Stay Alive campaign, the Arizona Department of Transportation said after you pull over during a dust storm, keep your seat belt on, set the parking brake and turn off the car lights.

As counterintuitive as that sounds, other drivers who see the lights may try to follow but instead smash right into you.

YouTube video

Trying to drive across a flooded area is a hazard, too.

First responders could be put in harm’s way attempting a rescue.

“We’ve got a current that is strong enough to push an automobile miles down the wash,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade told KTAR News 92.3 FM last year.

“The current (could) speed up in an area; there could be something underneath (the water surface) that could grab (a person), pull them under. We could always have failure in a line.”

Under Arizona’s Stupid Motorist Law, the cost of a rescue from flood areas is the responsibility of the driver.

Stay indoors

If you hear thunder, lightning isn’t too far behind.

The Emergency Information Network advises everyone stay inside their home or shelter for at least a half hour after a storm passes before stepping outside.

Array

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

West Valley teenager kidnapping...

KTAR.com

Missing West Valley teenager found safe in Utah with her alleged kidnapper

A missing West Valley teenager was found safe in Utah early Monday with her alleged kidnapper, who was taken into custody, authorities said.

21 minutes ago

A man was fatally stabbed Sunday at a central Phoenix gas station in the area of 16th Street and In...

David Veenstra

Police seeking tips after man fatally stabbed at central Phoenix gas station

A man was fatally stabbed Sunday at a central Phoenix gas station in the area of 16th Street and Indian School Road.

1 hour ago

online reporting tool phoenix police crimes...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix Police expands list of crimes that can be reported through online system

Citizens who want to report crimes involving theft from business or graffiti can now do so through the Phoenix Police Department's online reporting system.

4 hours ago

surgical robot...

David Veenstra

West Valley hospital unveils 4-armed, $2.7 million surgical robot

Goodyear's Abrazo West Campus unveiled a new surgical robot, the da Vinci 5, which cost $2.7 million and has four arms.

4 hours ago

Donald Trump Kamala Harris...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Nov. 1-3

From new Arizona polling for the Nov. 5 general election to the relocation of a mama bear and her cubs, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from Nov. 1-3.

13 hours ago

Valley rainfall...

Aaron Schmidt

Valley gets fair share of rain, hail in stormy Sunday afternoon

The Valley got its fair share of rainy weather on Sunday, with some parts of the Valley even getting hail. The Valley should experience continued light showers until 8 p.m.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Know what to do during 2019 Arizona monsoon season