As monsoon season hits Arizona from June 15 to September 30, the City of Peoria is reminding residents to stay safe during summer storms. These storms can bring heavy rain, lightning, dust, and flash floods with little warning. In a recent update, the City of Peoria shared important storm safety tips. If you're caught outside during a storm, find shelter right away. If no shelter is nearby, go to a low spot away from trees, poles, and metal objects. Avoid high ground, standing water, and anything that can conduct electricity.
For homeowners, the City suggests securing any loose items such as trash bins, patio furniture, and umbrellas which might become airborne during high winds, potentially causing damage or injury. Additional recommendations include trimming trees and removing weak branches that could fall on homes or vehicles. According to a statement obtained by the City of Peoria, these simple steps can have a substantial impact in reducing the chance of property damage or personal harm.
Drivers also receive special attention with instructions on how to handle dust storms which, in Arizona, can quickly reduce visibility to near zero—reminding motorists to pull off the road immediately, switch off the vehicle's lights, set the car to PARK and take the foot off the brake to avoid misleading other drivers into thinking it's safe to follow, a situation that has spurred collisions in the past. Moreover, the mantra "Turn Around, Don’t Drown," emphasizes the danger of as little as six inches of fast-moving water, which has the force to sweep a vehicle away, hence the advice to never attempt to negotiate flooded roads, this is especially true at night when judging the depth or flow of water on roads becomes considerably more difficult, as detailed by the City of Peoria.
