PHOTOS! Nonsoon to Monsoon: Flooded Roads and Lots of Rain in the Wittmann Area
We asked for rain and we sure got it! This year’s monsoon has brought flooded roads and lots of rain to the Wittmann Area. We spoke to experts from the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, Maricopa County Flood Control District, and the National Weather Service Phoenix Office about what all this rain means for Wittmann and how residents can be safe while enjoying the rain.
According to the Maricopa County Flood Control District, Wittmann has received over 1.54 inches of rain within the past 3 days. “You can see that Wittmann has gotten a lot of rain over the past 3 days,” said Lisa Blyler, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Flood Control District told Wittmann, AZ Emergency Alerts.
“Never, ever try to cross flooded roads and washes. You never know what the conditions of the road underneath are,” said Blyler. “Our storms come on quick, which means they leave quickly too,” Blyler continued.
“Plan ahead, find another route, and wait it out,” Blyler added. “We don’t recommend playing in the runoff because it’s full of chemicals, road runoff, animal waste, snakes, and other rodents,” Blyler warned.
“If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, drainage ditches, canyons, washes,” Jaret Rogers, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Phoenix said in a statement to Wittmann, AZ Emergency Alerts. “Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams,” Rogers continued.
“Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.” Rogers warned. “If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you,” Rogers added.
“Road beds may be washed out under floodwaters. Never drive through flooded roadways – you do not know the condition of the road under the water,” Rogers said.
Did you know? Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups.
“Turn around, don’t risk it. If you see water on the roadway, it’s best to be safe and sorry,” said Zoe Richmond, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation. “Just because a road doesn’t have an official road close sign doesn’t mean it’s passable. We’ve got over 2,00- miles of road, that coupled with the fact we haven’t had rain in over a year, MCDOT crews are very busy,” Richmond added.
“If someone stumps a flooded road, it’s best to call the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency, especially because you never know if the road is managed by the county or the municipality,” Richmond advised.
Readers from all over the Wittmann area submitted photos and videos showing flooded washes and roads, here are some of our favorites:
Reader Poppy Behrens shared videos and photos from her home near 147th Avenue and Oberlin Way:
Mud puddles! Readers Kat Goldstein and JJ Jenkins shared a photo of their kids playing in the rain in Wittmann:
Reader Daryl Miglia shared a photo of a pickup truck making its way through the flooded Patton Road near 213th Avenue:
Reader Micheal DeMarco shared a photo of flooding on Patton Road near 195th Avenue
Maricopa County Department of Transportation maintains a road closure map to help you plan ahead.
Maricopa County Flood Control District provides a website to find sand for sandbags. This video shows you how to load and stack sandbags.
Maricopa County Flood Control District monitors more than 400 rain and stream gages across Maricopa County and surrounding counties. You can see what is happening in your neighborhood here.
Subscribe to Emergency Text Alerts from Wittmann, AZ Emergency Alerts now by clicking here.
Remember: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
Post expires at 2:28pm on Friday July 30th, 2021
