Pinal County Public Works and Emergency Management officials are reminding residents and motorists to steer clear of washes and moving water. Recent storms have saturated areas of Pinal County, channeling water into existing natural washes and man-made drainage structures. Along with mud, debris and other hazards, this water may look harmless on the surface but caution is advised.
Driving any motorized vehicles, including ATVs, into and around washes or flooded roads puts the motorist at risk of serious harm.
Meteorologists are suggesting that additional severe storms may be on the way during the holiday weekend. Please use appropriate caution to protect your home, property and loved ones from harm.
Observe the following tips:
1. Obey all caution or warning signs on roadways.
2. Slow down while driving in heavy rain or dust storms.
3. If caught in a dust storm, continue driving slowly and turn on your emergency hazard lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep a safe distance from trees and windows.
5. Do not stand in open fields or under trees during a lightning storm.
6. Turn off unnecessary electronic equipment.
7. Have candles, flash lights with fresh batteries and a wireless or corded phone. Cordless home telephones will not work if the power is out.
8. Listen for weather updates or advisories broadcast on local radio stations.
Call 9-1-1 in the event of a serious emergency or injury. If your power is out, report outages to your local utility. Phone numbers to call in case of outages are usually printed on the utility bill.