Thunderstorms Hit Arizona as Monsoon Season Begins

Flagstaff, Arizona – Summer thunderstorms are making their presence known, with significant rainfall already causing flooding in areas like Prescott and Chino Valley earlier this week.

It seems to rain quite a bit in Arizona, but certain conditions can quickly lead to hazardous flooding. This highlights the importance of community safety during the monsoon season.

Many regions in Arizona are currently facing drought conditions, so rainfall is crucial. Brian Klimowski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, pointed out some benefits of this precipitation.

“We’ll be addressing fire mitigation and ensuring water resources are available for firefighting,” Klimowski explained. “It plays a vital role in maintaining the environment in northern Arizona.”

Nonetheless, flooding has also been an issue, particularly in places like Mayer, where heavy rains on Wednesday resulted in flash floods across the state.

“Flooding is highly dependent on the intensity of the rain,” Klimowski noted. “It’s crucial to consider not just how much rain falls within a short time but also where that rain occurs.”

The Flagstaff area, particularly around the San Francisco Peaks, is especially sensitive to flooding, mainly due to areas impacted by previous burn scars. A severe flood followed a pipeline fire in 2022, leading Coconino County to invest $100 million in flood mitigation efforts on that side of the mountain. This infrastructure faced its first real test with Wednesday’s rainfall.

“Yesterday demonstrated how effective our mitigation measures can be,” Klimowski remarked. “We received a couple of inches of rain, typically enough to cause flash floods, but this time we didn’t see that level of impact.”

Flash floods can also hit other roads, and it only takes about a foot of water to sweep away a vehicle. Klimowski stressed the importance of preparation during the monsoon.

“The best way to prepare is to keep it simple,” he advised. “We have sayings like, ‘Know before you go,’ ‘Turn around, don’t drown,’ and, of course, when thunder rumbles, head indoors.”

The silver lining is that this system is expected to clear up by Thursday evening, promising a dry stretch for the upcoming July weekend.