Arizona Monsoon Flooding Can Turn Deadly in Minutes

I’ve driven to the edge.

Last year, just as a monsoonal deluge was beginning to taper off, I decided to make my way home from a friend’s house.

Ten minutes before the sky opened, I had planned to head out, but something held me back. By the time I was going for the door, the rain started to come down in sheets. It was coming down so fast, I couldn’t see my car from the front window, even though it was only parked about 200 feet away.

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a yellow flood sign sitting on the side of a road

Twenty Minutes of Monsoon Rain

Finally, after twenty minutes of an impressive show of lightning, thunder, and a ton of rain, the storm moved away, and it was safe to travel. Or so I thought.

I only lived about 3 miles from my friend’s house in a rural area in Southeastern Arizona. Living in a place where we have both dirt and paved roads that run through deep washes, I knew that three miles could be more treacherous than usual.

And that’s what had me staring at the edge of a newly flowing small river of fast-moving water that was flowing over the street in my path home.

Should I cross? Is it safe? I wondered. I wasn’t the only one asking the question, and it turns out, my hesitation was well placed.

green grass and trees on brown sand

Turn Around, Don't Drown: An Arizona Monsoon Season Essential

Monsoon season is part of life in Arizona, and AZ Central warns that this unique pattern can bring one of the state's most serious weather dangers: flash flooding.

Powerful summer thunderstorms can dump heavy rain in a short amount of time. This can cause dry washes, roadways, and low-lying areas to fill rapidly with fast-moving water.

Weather forecasters across Arizona constantly warn us that conditions can change from safe to dangerous within minutes during an active storm pattern. This is exactly what I saw from my friend’s front window.

green grass field under white clouds during daytime

How Flash Flooding Happens So Quickly

Like me, many people wait for a storm to pass before they hit the road. But experts at the National Weather Service warn that the danger is not always during the falling rain.

Rainfall upstream can send a surge of water rushing through a dry wash miles away. In parts of Cochise County where I live, the water courses down washes from places like the Huachuca Mountains and other high points, filling washes and basins very quickly.

Localized downpours can produce significant runoff, flooding roads, underpasses, and desert crossings with little warning. The water isn’t the only danger; dust storms, strong winds, and lightning can accompany sudden, driving rain, creating even more challenges for drivers.

Val Davidson/TSM

That's why experts at FEMA constantly repeat this simple message: Turn Around, Don't Drown. This message was pounding in my brain as I considered entering the rushing stream that was crossing the road between me and home that day. And I was right to worry.

You can’t tell just by looking how deep the water is. Floodwater depth can be difficult to judge, and vehicles can become stranded or swept away in moving water.

READ: Why Dry Heat In Arizona Feels Different From Humid Summers

Dangers of Floodwaters

According to the National Weather Service, people often underestimate the force and depth of the water. Here are some things to know:

• 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.
• 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and small SUVs.
• 2 feet of rushing water can sweep away larger vehicles, including trucks and SUVs.
• Roads may be washed out or weakened under floodwaters, making it unsafe to drive even if the water appears shallow.
• Floodwaters can hide missing road segments or bridges, increasing the risk of accidents. They can also hide submerged debris that can damage tires and other parts of the vehicle.

brown grass field under gray clouds

Arizona's "Stupid Motorist Law"

I’m not the only person who’s ever thought to drive into moving water after a monsoon. It happens so often, Arizona has something called the "Stupid Motorist Law."

Seriously! Under Arizona Revised Statute 28-910, a driver who goes around barricades and enters a roadway closed due to flooding can be held financially responsible for the costs of an emergency rescue if the vehicle becomes stranded.

READ: Preparing For Monsoon Storms In Southeastern Arizona: Key Tips

Val Davidson/TS

You may even get to a flooded roadway before road workers and emergency vehicles can close off the area. If you think you can’t make it, don’t even try. Arizona Revised Statute 28-910 allows public agencies to recover reasonable emergency response costs, including rescue operations. That means you could be liable for up to $2,000 per incident for first responders to pull you out of the floodwaters, and your insurance policy probably won’t cover the cost.

I ultimately decided it was safer to go back to my friend’s house and wait for the water to recede, which took only a couple of hours. I’m glad I did, because not everyone made the same choice to turn around.