How to Stay Safe During an Arizona Monsoon

The summer rainy season in Arizona and other parts of the southwestern United States is also known as monsoon season. According to the National Weather Service, the monsoon begins on June 15 and end on Sept. 30. During these months, the Southwest experiences severe heat and intense thunderstorms with damaging lightning strikes, flash floods and powerful winds. Stay safe during monsoon season by following these guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Cell phone
• Water
• Towel or bandanna
• Disaster kit (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Guard against heat illness by staying indoors during the hottest part of the day. Stay inside when your shadow outside is shorter than you are. Drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids if you can't avoid outside exertion. Rest frequently and cool yourself with a wet towel or bandanna around your neck.

• 2

  Avoid lightning by staying indoors for 30 minutes after you hear the last rumble of thunder. If you can hear the thunder, the lightning is close enough to strike. Stay in your car if you can't get inside a sturdy building. Seek a low area and crouch down if you're caught in the open. Avoid metal objects and open water.

• 3

  Protect your electronics from lightning damage by unplugging them when a storm approaches. Do not use a landline telephone in a monsoon storm because lightning can travel through the cord and strike you. However, cellular phones are safe to use in a thunderstorm.

• 4

  Stay away from dry washes as these can very quickly become raging torrents in a monsoon thunderstorm. Do not attempt to drive through running water or around safety barricades. As few as 10 inches of water can float an average-sized vehicle.

• 5

  Prevent high winds from causing property damage and injury from blowing debris by securing outdoor property, such as patio furniture or garbage cans. Keep away from windows if you are inside. Do not seek shelter in an unanchored mobile home.

• 6

  Do not attempt to drive through a dust storm. Monsoon dust storms drastically reduce visibility. On the road, this can be deadly. In a dust storm, pull as far off the roadway as you can. Turn off all your lights, shift into "park" and keep your foot off the brake.