Monsoon Season in Arizona is here! Find out what you need to know to stay safe!
Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Lindsay, with the Wise Move AZ Team at Realty ONE Group. If you want to stay up to date on all things Anthem and real estate then you need to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Pro Tip: You’re also going to want to hit that little bell icon so that you’re the first to know when our new videos are posted every single Thursday!
As your Anthem, Arizona REALTOR® I love helping people settle into life in Arizona. And guess what? Monsoon Season is a fact of life here in Arizona. That being said, it is not something you need to be afraid of. By taking a few simple steps you can ensure your family is safe.
Monsoon Season
Here in Arizona, Monsoon season runs from June 15 – September 30. This 3.5 month period is when we tend to see half of our annual rainfall.
Monsoon storms come up very quickly in the desert and can cause dangerous flooding. In Anthem, we tend to see our highest volume of precipitation in August at an average of 2.35” of rain. Now, for anyone from wetter climates this might sound like nothing. But rain in the desert is a totally different animal. The water cannot easily penetrate the ground and therefore runs along the surface until it can find a natural wash or man made drain. While it runs across the surface it can flood homes, sweep cars away, and all kinds of drama.
The good news here in Anthem is that we are quite elevated which means that we tend not to experience the flooding that can be found in other parts of the valley. But you can expect to get some really great photos of the amazing lightning during this time!
So what can you do to stay safe this monsoon season?
#1: Avoid Hiking
We all know the hiking in Arizona is amazing and it’s a huge perk of living here. That being said, during monsoon season you do not want to go hiking when there is a threat of rain, while it’s raining, or for 48 hours after the rain has stopped. If you’re going to hike during monsoon season you need to be experienced, alert and well prepared. You’ll want to stick to higher ground and always know your escape route. The washes can fill up with water and leave you trapped or worse!
#2: Stay off the Highways
If there is a threat of a monsoon storm or if it is actively raining, consider changing your plans to hit the highway. The highways can be impacted more dramatically by monsoon storms due to flooding, poor visibility, and fast moving vehicles. You can check online for road condition reports. It’s not worth risking you or your family’s safety to head out in the middle of a monsoon.
#3: Don’t Drive Through Any Water
As mentioned previously, monsoon season can cause flooding on the roadways, it is not limited just to the highways. If you come across large puddles or moving water do not drive through it. It doesn’t take much water for your car to be swept away. Again, it is not worth the risk!
#4: Check for Leaks
It is always a good idea to check your roof, doorways, and lot grading to ensure they are not susceptible to leaks. You want to ensure your gutters are properly diverting water away from your home and that your lot is sloped in such a way that it is pushing water towards the street or at least away from the home. If you find a leak, get it fixed immediately. If left untreated leaks can cause costly damage to your home. It is always a good idea to have these things checked by a professional prior to monsoon season. You do not want to find out you have a roof leak dumping water into your bedroom in the middle of a storm.
#5: Grab your Camera & Enjoy the Show
Monsoon season is not something to take lightly, but it is not something you should fear. If you follow steps #1 – #4 you should be able to enjoy monsoon season from the comfort of your home, with your camera in hand! Monsoon season can bring with it some of the most spectacular lightning so make sure you’re ready to snap a photo. If you’ve taken some great pictures during monsoon season, I would love to see them, so tag me @WiseMoveAZ on Instagram.
Monsoon season is just one piece of the incredible weather we enjoy here in Anthem, Arizona. If you want more information on the weather here in Anthem, we put together a whole video on it earlier this year, so click here to watch.
Or if you’ve been considering a move to Arizona, click here to grab your free copy of our guide: “Moving to Arizona? 10 Reasons to Choose Anthem!”
See YOU next Thursday!
