When the monsoon season hits Southern Arizona, it's not just the rain that pours down in sheets – it's the collaborative efforts of county departments ramping up to mitigate the ensuing chaos. Pima County's Public Works departments know all too well that preparation is key. Camille Hall, Regional Flood Control District's community engagement manager, highlighted the severity of the recent storm on July 14, which resulted in widespread flooding and a barrage of downed trees, causing significant damage particularly along The Loop at Rillito River Park, according to the Pima County Newsroom.
In the wake of the storm, the county's maintenance crews leapt into action. Ron Odell, park operations division manager with Parks & Recreation, described the aftermath as an "abnormally huge footprint" and noted that the work is usually more localized. Debris removal from The Loop and affected parks has been a priority. The efforts, routinely performed each monsoon season, were particularly intense this time around, with much of the park land littered with green waste and fallen flora. In the struggle to restore normalcy, these teams haven't just pulled together, they've pulled double duty.
Focusing on prevention, Katrina Noble, a community engagement coordinator with Transportation, shared some of the preemptive measures taken by her department. Crews inspected and prepped barricades, signs, and lights long before the first raindrop fell. They also identified flood-prone areas to pre-stage equipment, effectively cutting down response times post deluge. Besides the usual signage, sandbag stations were set up county-wide, enabling residents to combat potential water damage by securing up to 20 bags for their homes.
It's not only about the clear-up; it's about future proofing. The Regional Flood Control District looks to the long-term with regular infrastructure maintenance, like sediment removal from the Santa Cruz River. Furthermore, by employing sophisticated technological tools like Lidar, they create detailed maps to pinpoint sediment build-up in the county's washes. Hall clarified the importance of such data, saying "This information is important to us as a district, because we can get a feel for what areas are impacted by different levels of water." The public has been urged to stay vigilant and informed through the MyAlerts app, which provides real-time flooding updates affecting the county.
