With the Arizona monsoon season in full swing until September 30, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is doubling down on its campaign to ensure residents are prepped and primed to tackle the risks. As outlined in a recent reminder, timed to coincide with the past Monsoon Week festivities, this is a time that beckons for heightened awareness and preparation. The season brings welcomed rain, but it can also pack a punch with thunderstorms, flash floods, and powerful dust storms known locally as "haboobs."
Beating the heat remains a staple of advice from health officials, who warn that despite the sporadic showers, extreme temperatures still lurk in the desert climate. The ADHS advises everyone to "continue practicing heat safety by staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and limiting outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day." The season may also stir up respiratory concerns and mosquito-borne illnesses. Dust churned up by storms can aggravate conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, and standing water left by the rains can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising the stakes for West Nile virus infections. ADHS underscores the importance of reducing these risks by curtailing outdoor activities in dusty conditions and eliminating standing water around homes.
With any downpour in Arizona, flash flooding is a real hazard given the region's non-absorbent terrain. The ADHS stresses that just a mere six inches of moving water is potent enough to unsteady an adult, and only a foot of water can sweep away a vehicle, drawing attention to the legal and safety implications of ignoring road closure signs and driving through flooded areas. Power outages, another consequence of the vigorous monsoon storms, pose threats to food and water safety, compelling residents to keep perishable items refrigerated and resort to bottled or boiled water if safety can't be verified.
Preparedness remains the frontline strategy, as outlined in the emergency checklist provided by ADHS. The checklist includes fostering an emergency kit with essentials such as non-perishable food, water, medications, and supplies for pets. Developing a family communication plan is also paramount, delineating evacuation routes, meeting points, and contacts outside the state. Keeping abreast of weather updates and road conditions through reliable sources like the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is also essential. During a dust storm while driving, one must pull off the road, extinguish all lights, engage the parking brake, and wait for the storm to pass, all while buckled up inside the vehicle.
A list of resources, including hydration flyers and emergency and disaster preparedness advice, is available to help Arizonans navigate these challenges (directorsblog.health.azdhs.gov). The state's official source for emergency updates and preparedness advice is also accessible through AzEIN on various social media platforms, providing continuous support for those seeking to weather the monsoon season as safely as possible.
