The National Weather Service has the monsoon building in strength over the weekend and into early next week. Officials want to make sure the public remembers the 5 hazards associated with the sometimes fast moving and powerful storms. Flash Flooding can occur miles away from your location; stay out of washes that could flood and never try to drive across a flooded roadway. Excessive Heat should be expected between the lulls in monsoon activity; stay indoors during the hottest times of the day and stay hydrated. If you hear thunder, seek shelter from the lightning. Hail and the occasional tornado are also possibilities. Motorists should avoid driving into a dust storm, but if you do, pull to the side of the road, put your vehicle in park, turn off the lights and take your foot off the brake pedal. During strong wind events, seek shelter and stay away from windows. We currently have a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend with showers and thunderstorms likely on Monday and Tuesday. Fire restrictions and closures remain in place.
