March 28, 2024 1:14 PM
Search

Monsoon 2023 has arrived, and officials are asking residents to be prepared for wind and rain – Cronkite News

Arizona’s monsoon officially started June 15, and while there have not been any storms yet, the city of Phoenix has asked residents to prepare for the inevitable dust, wind and rain.

For the Phoenix metro area, the National Weather Service has predicted a drier than normal monsoon, which runs through Sept. 15. Still, when the powerful storms arrive, they can cause high winds and flash floods.

At an event June 15 to show storm preparations, Phoenix officials asked residents to plan ahead to prevent damage to their property.

“If this monsoon season is anything like last year’s, we are due for a lot of rain,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “They can be a blessing, bringing us precipitation and relief from summer heat, but they can also be dangerous if we are unprepared.”

Heather Murphy, public engagement coordinator for the Phoenix Street Transportation Department, said employees prepare every year by servicing pipelines in trouble spots and making sure storm sewers and street drains are clear. They use vacuum trucks to suck up large amounts of water from sewer drains.

Gabriel Guillen with the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, said his team has been trimming trees in public areas to prevent fallen branches during strong storms. He encouraged residents to trim trees on their property as well.

The city of Phoenix offers tips for surviving this year’s monsoon at Summer Safety.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Related Articles

No Content Available