Big Idea

• A Flash Flood Watch is in effect in Yavapai County, starting on Sunday afternoon
• A Flood Watch means to be prepared
• Sand bags are available throughout the County, bring your own shovel
• Do not cross flooded roads!!! Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Read more...

A Flash Flood WATCH means to be prepared

Here is the information from the National Weather Service in Flagstaff: 

Yavapai County Mountains-White Mountains-Northern Gila County- Yavapai County Valleys and Basins- Including the cities of Seligman, Show Low, Pinetop, Bagdad, Greer, Young, Payson, Strawberry, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Prescott, Ash Fork, and Cordes Junction 

 ... FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT… 

 * WHAT... Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is forecast. 

 * WHERE... Portions of the southern Mogollon Rim, the White Mountains, and all of Yavapai County. 

 * WHEN... From Sunday afternoon through late Monday night. 

 * IMPACTS... Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes and over recently burned areas. Low-water crossings could also experience flash flooding, which would create deadly travel conditions. 

 * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for more information on flood safety. 

 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

More information: 

Besides the fact that our communities will be getting much needed precipitation, the other good news is that the high temperatures should be cooling down to the 80’s, which will be a welcome relief!

%Being Prepared

The National Weather Service offers these suggestions to prepare for a flood: 

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Make sure you have enough food and water on hand to sustain you and your family in the event of a flood or power outage. You’ll want to have some food that won’t need cooking, in case your gas or electricity goes out. 

Make sure you have bottled water set aside in case your water service is interrupted or unsafe to drink

Also, be prepared with the following items: 

• batteries
• blankets
• flashlights
• first aid kit
• rubber boots
• rubber gloves
• a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery operated radio

In case you have to evacuate: 

• Extra clothing 
• Medications - also, take a photo of your meds with your phone so you can get them refilled in a hurry
• Your devices, computers, backup drives, other valuable electronics (if you can’t take these, at least try to make sure they are high up)
• Your pets, and their food (in Yavapai County, there are typically pet shelters for evacuees)

%Important steps  

Charge your essential devices in advance. Do you have external power banks for your phones and tablets? Make sure they’re charged also. Do that now, it won’t hurt anything.

Sign up for notifications. If you haven’t signed up for Code Red through the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, what are you waiting for? It is not just for fire danger. This is how the Yavapai Sheriff’s Office can reach you in the event of an emergency in your area.

If necessary, prepare your home. Remember, standard home insurance does NOT cover flooding, so you may want to add this as a rider on your policy. There may be a waiting period, so do this right away. 

%Sandbags

There are locations all over the County where you can fill sandbags. Some are harder to find than others, to be honest!

We took a trip around the Prescott area to see what we could find. First of all, remember to bring your own shovel. Some locations have shovels, and some don’t. 

We could not find any sand at the Williamson Valley trailhead. There could be some, but we just didn’t see any. They do camouflage it, sometimes!

Prescott Fire Station #74 on Smoke Tree Lane

Prescott Fire Station at 333 White Spar Road

Yavapai County Public Works Yard at 1100 Commerce Drive, Prescott 

Prescott/Central Fire Station, 1700 Iron Springs Road

Central Arizona Fire Station in Prescott Valley at 8555 E. Yavapai Road

Central Arizona Fire Station @ 4125 W. Outer Loop Road - yes, that mound of dirt is the sand pile. There are some sandbags if you look closely!

%Do NOT drive through flood waters crossing roads. 

There’s a reason why they say, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”. Water can be fast, powerful and unpredictable. Please stay safe!