Stay Safe This Monsoon Season – Do Not Cross Flooded Washes
The monsoon season will have Pinal County Public Works road crews on alert and ready to handle what the monsoon storms will throw their way this summer.
Summer storms can bring much needed moisture and a cool down in the Sonoran Desert but those rains can also bring a level of danger to drivers on the road. Advice for those who are out on the roads when the rains hit – slow down and do not cross flooded washes or bypass the ‘road closed’ barricades. It can mean the difference between life or death.
As little as two feet of water can sweep a car off the road in a dip or wash. While the water may not look so deep, the road can be eroded underneath making the wash impassable. Flooded roads may conceal debris or large objects that can damage your vehicle. Also, run off from storms in the mountains can reach desert areas that didn’t see any rain.
It can be raining in the mountains and dry in the desert. A few hours later the desert washes are running. Pinal County Public Works road crews will be on alert and will monitor county maintained roads where washes cross the roadway to see if the washes are running. If so, they will place barricades if they feel it’s too dangerous to cross.
In planning your travels during the monsoon season, a call to Pinal County’s Road Closure Hotline can alert you which roads are temporarily closed to due to a rainstorm. The number to call is: (520) 866-6078. There are more tips for staying safe during the monsoon season at www.monsoonsafety.org/.