monsoon

As the National Weather Service forecasts another round of monsoon storms in Arizona this week, drivers should use extreme caution and make plans to avoid hazardous conditions that heavy rainfall could trigger on roadways across the state. 

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.

Facebook Live Event Tonight at 6 p.m.: There is a Facebook Live Event scheduled for 6:00 PM today that will be hosted by Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy on the County’s Facebook page by both County and City members. We hope that you can attend this important virtual meeting.

At 9:33 a.m. on August 14th, 2021, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Jack Sellers, declared a Local Emergency for Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate community organizations and assist with response activities. 

The declaration gives Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management access to emergency funds to be used to support response activities.  It also requests the State of Arizona declare an emergency in support of response operations. 

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.

Weather Forecast: The National Weather Service predicts increasing storm chances throughout the week. For up to date, local weather, visit https://www.weather.gov/fgz/.    

Below is a summary of recent activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.

Weather Forecast: The National Weather Service predicts few storms through the weekend. For up-to-date, local weather, visit https://www.weather.gov/fgz/.

With monsoon rains, possibly heavy at times, forecast in Arizona over the next few days, drivers should be alert for wet roads, potential flooding and debris on highways across much of the state.

The Arizona Department of Transportation says drivers should pay attention to weather forecasts and avoid traveling in severe weather conditions if at all possible. Monsoon weather can produce thunderstorms with sudden, heavy rainfall.

Monsoon rains last night in the Mangum Fire area caused flash flooding, resulting in three forest roads being washed out. Power had also been out at Big Springs but has been restored. Roads affected and associated closures are in effect for:

Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan have declared States of Emergency on behalf of the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021.

Declaring a State of Emergency allows the city and county to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona. 

This monsoon season could prove to be especially disruptive to travel plans after a series of major wildfires has made burn areas susceptible to flooding. That can leave highways covered with mud and other hazardous debris.

Anytime drivers are traveling this summer, the Arizona Department of Transportation is urging drivers to expect the unexpected, including unscheduled closures, near recent burn areas and to take extra precautions.

Tonto National Forest officials will terminate the Stage 3 Forest Closure Wednesday, July 7, 8 a.m. in coordination with other forests. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions with Recreational Shooting Restrictions will remain in effect.

The Tonto received between 1/2-2 inches of rain across a majority of the forest over the last week. Although this has lowered fire danger significantly over the short term, hotter drier weather will move in during the week raising the fire danger again, but more moisture is expected to come into the area near the end of the week.