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Drive carefully in monsoon season
Thelma Grimes
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
With afternoon storms brewing more regularly in the San Pedro Valley, local authorities warn residents to use caution.
Brad Hamilton, the city's public works director, said it's important to remember that a couple inches of rushing water can carry a car away, and driving in those flooded washes and roads is dangerous.
It's not uncommon for emergency crews to be called out during monsoon season in the San Pedro Valley. There are several bad spots known for flooding, and there are always drivers thinking they can make it across.
Some of the area hot spots include Skyline Road, which floods near the tunnel, making it impossible for drivers to move in either direction. Pomerene Road also floods about a mile past the church each year. While cars can usually get through, it is considered a problem area.
Hamilton said there are several streets that become flooded, but a problem area that needs signs and barricades during heavy storms is right in front of the Department of Public Safety on Madison.
Hamilton said it's important for residents to follow the warnings and not drive in areas that are blocked off.
Marty Tapia, of the Department of Public Safety in Benson, said highways in the area also become flooded, and it's important for motorists to use caution in heavy storms, and be aware that the roads are slick.
The monsoon season is designated from June 15 to Sept. 30.
The Department of Public Safety has released tips for residents during the season.
A monsoon storm can range from high winds and blowing dust to torrential rains that can create hazardous driving conditions. Drivers are asked to slow down, leave plenty of room between cars, watch carefully for water pooling on the roadway, avoid an area that has been closed off by barricades due to flooding, drive with headlights on, slow down and pay close attention to changing road and weather conditions, watch for blowing dust and debris and always wear a seatbelt.
The National Weather Service has already said they expect the monsoon season in Southern Arizona, and western New Mexico to have elevated rainfall in the first part of the season, noting that the added precipitation could cause elevated temperatures in September.
While the weather service has predicted extra rain in the early monsoon season, there are no predictions on the second half of the season. The second half of the forecast remains uncertain due to what appears to be a rapidly-developing El Nino. An El Nino, which is a warming of water temperatures across the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, causes significant changes in both monsoon and jet-stream patterns.
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
With afternoon storms brewing more regularly in the San Pedro Valley, local authorities warn residents to use caution.
Brad Hamilton, the city's public works director, said it's important to remember that a couple inches of rushing water can carry a car away, and driving in those flooded washes and roads is dangerous.
It's not uncommon for emergency crews to be called out during monsoon season in the San Pedro Valley. There are several bad spots known for flooding, and there are always drivers thinking they can make it across.
Some of the area hot spots include Skyline Road, which floods near the tunnel, making it impossible for drivers to move in either direction. Pomerene Road also floods about a mile past the church each year. While cars can usually get through, it is considered a problem area.
Hamilton said there are several streets that become flooded, but a problem area that needs signs and barricades during heavy storms is right in front of the Department of Public Safety on Madison.
Hamilton said it's important for residents to follow the warnings and not drive in areas that are blocked off.
Marty Tapia, of the Department of Public Safety in Benson, said highways in the area also become flooded, and it's important for motorists to use caution in heavy storms, and be aware that the roads are slick.
The monsoon season is designated from June 15 to Sept. 30.
The Department of Public Safety has released tips for residents during the season.
A monsoon storm can range from high winds and blowing dust to torrential rains that can create hazardous driving conditions. Drivers are asked to slow down, leave plenty of room between cars, watch carefully for water pooling on the roadway, avoid an area that has been closed off by barricades due to flooding, drive with headlights on, slow down and pay close attention to changing road and weather conditions, watch for blowing dust and debris and always wear a seatbelt.
The National Weather Service has already said they expect the monsoon season in Southern Arizona, and western New Mexico to have elevated rainfall in the first part of the season, noting that the added precipitation could cause elevated temperatures in September.
While the weather service has predicted extra rain in the early monsoon season, there are no predictions on the second half of the season. The second half of the forecast remains uncertain due to what appears to be a rapidly-developing El Nino. An El Nino, which is a warming of water temperatures across the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, causes significant changes in both monsoon and jet-stream patterns.
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