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Community News

City of Scottsdale shares tips for monsoon season

Posted 6/29/22

The Arizona monsoon season is underway and will last through Sept. 30. In the months ahead, storms are expected to develop rapidly and may cause severe localized winds and flooding in Scottsdale.  

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Community News

City of Scottsdale shares tips for monsoon season

Posted

The Arizona monsoon season is underway and will last through Sept. 30. In the months ahead, storms are expected to develop rapidly and may cause severe localized winds and flooding in Scottsdale.  

Before the storms hit, the city says it is important to have emergency items on hand, including ones that protect your property from floodwaters. 

Some residents in Scottsdale rely on sandbags to protect their homes from storm flooding. The city provides both sand and bags as a courtesy to residents. 

Demand is typically high during storms, and the city cannot guarantee the availability of complimentary sand and bags to everyone. 

These supplies are available 24 hours a day for Scottsdale residents on a first-come, first-served basis at these locations:  

  • Parking lot of District 1 Police Headquarters, 7601 E. McKellips Rd. 
  • Near the city's north Corporation Yard, 9379 E. San Salvador Dr.
  • Solid Waste Transfer Station, 8417 E. Union Hills Dr. 

Shovels and bags will be provided by the city, but residents are required to fill their own bags. 

All the supplies and equipment — sand, bags and shovels — are located in large roll-off refuse containers at each site. There is a limit of 10 bags per household. 

The city advises that bags should be filled one-half to two-thirds full and they should lie fairly flat when filled. Sandbags are most effective when placed in front of entry points. 

However, other options may provide better protection. 

Before the next storm event arrives, the city encourages residents to explore alternatives to sandbags – which are often more convenient, effective and easier to get, according to the release.  

Flood diversion tubes act much like sandbags to block floodwaters from entering homes. The tubes are easy to place and weigh little until filled with water. Any common garden hose attaches, making the flood diversion barrier simple to fill.  

Other options include transportable flood fence barriers and water-absorbent cushions.

Residents whose properties are subject to seasonal flooding are encouraged to explore these alternatives to sandbags through local hardware stores and online retailers.  

The "Ready, Set, Go" program encourages Arizonans to get ready by preparing now for what threatens their community, to be set by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to go, and evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening. 

For more information about this three-step program, visit www.ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.

Additional tips that the city recommends are:

  • Putting together a simple supplies kit with basics like flashlights, batteries and bottled water. For more details on what you need and how to put together a kit, visit www.ready.gov/kit. 
  • Making sure you have a plan to communicate with your family and loved ones during a storm. Get more information on creating a plan at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. 
  • Don’t travel in heavy rain unless necessary. Obey all signs and avoid low-lying areas. Do not cross running water. More car safety tips are available at www.ready.gov/car. 
  • Calling ahead if you're planning to use city parks, the preserve and recreation areas. The city’s call center will have closure information. 

In Scottsdale, heavy rains can cause the Indian Bend Wash to fill with water and close unbridged cross streets. 

“Always obey traffic signs and do not try to cross running water or flooded areas,” the release stated. 

Unbridged Indian Bend Wash crossings include Roosevelt from Miller to Hayden Road, Osborn Road, Murray Lane, Oak Street at 77th Street as well as north of Chaparral Road. 

There are additional unbridged crossings by Hayden Road at Medlock Drive, Starlight Way, Jackrabbit Road, Pecos Lane and the Safeway Plaza entrance. 

Other flood-prone streets include 87th Street south of Thomas Road, 84th Place north of Roosevelt Street, Granite Reef Road south of Roosevelt, Gail Road at 83rd Place, Scottsdale Road north of Loop 101 and Pima Road north of Pinnacle Peak Road.