Know what to do during 2019 Arizona monsoon season

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.

Monsoon activity may still be a few weeks away, but now is the time to get ready. Learn how to stay safe during summer storms this #MonsoonAwarenessWeek → https://t.co/rqClEhUJXl #Monsoon2019 #AzWX

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) June 10, 2019

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.

Did you know a downburst can cause damaging winds over 100 mph? #monsoon2019 #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/mEoHfyp8HA

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 11, 2019

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

Our Special Ops Team in coordination with @sfmd_az_gov successfully rescued 1 patient from the vehicle stuck in the wash. #Monsoon2017 pic.twitter.com/HOF4laGOfk

— Mesa (Arizona) Fire & Medical Dept (@MesaFireDept) July 24, 2017

As monsoon season approaches, AZDPS Ranger 1 crew is hard at work practicing water rescue skills at Bartlett Lake. This Bell 429 helicopter is equipped with a hoist, enabling troopers to perform critical rescue functions in dangerous conditions. #monsoonawarenessweek pic.twitter.com/xONWZ5X1At

— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) June 13, 2019

Barricades are there for a reason, if you encounter one don't drive around it. It takes just 12" of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water to carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. #monsoon2019 #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/NpruVs5M4q

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 13, 2019

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.

The 2019 Monsoon Season starts tomorrow. Are you ready? Our website can help you get prepared: https://t.co/n0hnyFbxdv#monsoon2019 #azwx #cawx @MikeOlbinski pic.twitter.com/KotJc4qMQ9

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 14, 2019

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