Monsoon Safety Tips
Monsoon Safety Tips
Whether you are a native Arizonan or new to the Grand Canyon State, chances are you’ve experienced a monsoon. The Arizona Monsoon begins on June 15 and ends on September 30. The word monsoon actually means season, so there is no reason to call it monsoon season. There are some rhymes that many Arizonans are familiar with.
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN:
Flash flooding can happen quickly with a heavy monsoon rain, and washes, dips in roads and low water crossing areas can fill up quickly and carry people and even vehicles away. Never drive around barricades or attempt to cross rapid flowing water even if it doesn’t look that deep.
PULL ASIDE, STAY ALIVE: Monsoon winds can cause downbursts of air that create a dust storm that may cause non-visibility in a matter of seconds. If you get caught in a dust storm, pull over and put your vehicle in park, take your foot off the brake and turn off your vehicle’s lights. Stay in your vehicle until the dust storm passes. It is important that your lights remain off–if you leave them on, vehicles behind you might think you are moving and could run into you.
WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS: Lightning can strike from 10 miles away. When you hear the thunder, it is time to go indoors, especially if you are swimming, hiking, biking or walking. To calculate how close the lightning is to you, count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder and then divide by five. For example, if there were 30 seconds between the lightning flash and the sound of thunder the lightning would be six miles away.
Even when you are indoors, lightning can cause harm. Do not use a landline. Even a cordless phone can cause a shock. Stay away from windows. Do not shower or wash the dishes–plumbing fixtures can conduct electricity and cause shocks.
Remember to bring your pets inside during a storm and always keep drinking water, flashlights, a first aid kit and non-perishable food on hand.
Free Sand and Sandbags In The Valley
Please bring your own shovel or bucket to scoop
Gilbert:
Gilbert Fire Station 1
2730 E Williams Field Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Gilbert Fire Station 3
1011 E Guadalupe Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Gilbert Fire Station 9
3355 E Ocotillo Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85298
Glendale:
Bonsall Park South
Southeast corner of 59th Ave. and Bethany Home Road
(Enter off of Bethany Home Road)
Glendale Fire Department Support Services
7501 N.55th Ave.
(Orangewood & 55th avenues)
Mesa:
Fire Station 202, 830 S. Stapley Drive
Fire Station 208, 4530 E. McKellips Road
Fire Station 209, 7035 E. Southern
Fire Station 212, 2430 S. Ellsworth
The Transportation Department has both pre-filled sandbags and sand and empty bags at the following locations for Mesa residents:
West Mesa Service Center, 300 E. 6th St. (west side of building)
East Mesa Service Center, 6935 E. Decatur St. (front parking lot)
https://www.mesaaz.gov/Public-Safety/Emergencies/Sandbags
Phoenix: Various Locations
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e348ed08378e46dc8e5e3aaf23c6f20b
Queen Creek:
Sandbags are available at Fire Station 2,
24787 S. Sossaman Road
https://www.queencreekaz.gov/government/fire-medical/storm-response
Scottsdale:
Tempe:
1001 N. Rio Road: (access drive north of Rio Salado Parkway and Hardy Drive)
Open daily, 24 hours
Benedict Sports Complex: 490 W. Guadalupe Road (northwest corner of Guadalupe and Kyrene roads, east side of parking lot)
Open daily, 24 hours
https://www.tempe.gov/government/public-works/storms-and-monsoon-weather
Free Sand and Sandbags Around Tucson
Please bring your own shovel or bucket to scoop
Marana:
10050 North Coachline Blvd. (behind the Pima County Water Reclamation Center)
4228 West Tangerine Rd. (northeast corner of Camino de Mañana and Tangerine Road)
Heritage Park parking lot, 12280 North Heritage Park Drive
Oro Valley:
Naranja Park (810 W Naranja Dr) 1,000 feet north of the Park Entrance at Naranja Dr.
https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Stormwater-Management/Sandbags
Tucson:
Hi Corbett Field Parking Lot at Reid Park – 700 S Randolph Way, 85711 (East Parking Lot)
Vail:
Rincon Valley Fire District, Station 2, located at 14550 E. Sands Ranch Road
