Chaos briefly ensued at Saguaro Lake this weekend as a fast-moving storm led lake goers to scramble for safety. According to a video shared by an onlooker, which was relayed by ABC15, visitors at the Butcher Jones Recreation Area were caught off guard by the sudden downpour. The incident occurred amid reports that more than an inch of rain hammered the area over the weekend, with approximately 0.87 inches falling on Sunday alone.
The response to the incident was compounded by the temporary loss of cellular service at the lake due to storm-related damage. As contingency, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office had alerted lakegoers to report emergencies using call boxes stationed around the lake or in person at an MCSO Aid Station, detailed in a post by the Sheriff's Office. Recovery efforts were swift, as 12 News reported that, by Sunday morning, cell service had indeed been restored.
Fortunately, despite the rapid onset of the storm and subsequent telecommunications outage at Saguaro Lake, no injuries were reported from the area. Regular updates on conditions and advice on preparedness during monsoon season are readily shared by local authorities to inform and protect residents and visitors alike.
