2013 Arizona monsoon taken from iPhone atop Sedona Airport Mesa by Al Comello for SedonaEye.com
Sedona AZ (August 8, 2016) – With thunderstorms occurring in southern Arizona and extreme weather possible elsewhere in the state, drivers should leave prepared and be ready to wait out heavy rain, high winds and blowing dust.
The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for a strong chance of rain and thunderstorms through at least Wednesday evening. Before driving on highways, review the Arizona Department of Transportation’s monsoon-safety tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.
Monsoon storms can produce sudden, torrential rain. Turn on your headlights while driving in threatening weather and, when roads are wet, reduce speed and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.
Avoid areas where water is pooling in travel lanes. If your vehicle appears to be hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas pedal until you regain traction rather than braking suddenly, which can cause a vehicle to skid off the roadway.
Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Just a few inches of running water can carry away a vehicle, even a heavy pickup truck or SUV.
Downdrafts from thunderstorms can create sudden dust storms. If you see blowing dust ahead, get off the highway as soon as you can do so safely. Don’t wait until poor visibility makes it difficult.
If you are caught in blowing dust, immediately check traffic around your vehicle, begin slowing down and get completely off the roadway. Don’t stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane.
Once you are off the highway, turn off all lights, including your emergency flashers, so another vehicle doesn’t use your lights as a guide and crash into your parked vehicle. Set your emergency brake, take your foot off the brake and stay in the vehicle with seat belts buckled until the storm passes.
To stay up to date on highway conditions across Arizona, visit ADOT’s travel information site az511.gov or dial 511 from within Arizona. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) also the latest has information on highway conditions. However, never use a cellphone or other mobile device while driving.
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
Anywhere it rains, it could flood. Even if an area hasn’t experienced a flood in the past, does not mean it can’t happen in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history; it can also be based on rainfall, topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and changes due to new construction and development.
Marcie Slay
Yavapai County Emergency Management
It’s too late, when told to evacuate!
Pish Posh. More scare tactics. Such things as floods and wild fires never happen in Sedona. Probably just more made up propaganda from ESM.
@@west sedona resident
Nice hack job
There is never any traffic in Sedona, it never rains, the city employees are all overworked and underpaid. Working a 4 day week and one month leave/vacation every year, it’s amazing any of the city employees stay. The Chamber of commerce does not receive nearly enough of the taxpayers money. Only Two million? The Chamber should have at least $10,000,000 and no accountability.
Quit wasting the city employees time with your complaints. We have more important things to do than to listen to you.
All you people do is complain.
Someone out there really loves me……they keep on hijacking my handle….. It’s good to be love ….imitation is the best compliment…who ever you are but you sound very angry and sick. Get some help and take your med… Hope that helps
I met your Editor! He was funny and I wanted to thank him. See you in Milwaukee some time Greg!