Monsoon season began last weekend, and while the season might bring cooler temperatures, it also creates perfect conditions for weather hazards like heavy rain, flash floods, high winds and dust storms.
High winds and dust storms can affect air quality, driving conditions, and can increase the chance of contracting water-borne illnesses.
Air quality
- Microscopic dust particles can cause eye and skin irritations.
- When it looks dusty outside, limit outdoor activities or stay indoors with closed windows and doors.
- Children, seniors and those with preexisting conditions like asthma and bronchitis are more vulnerable to these particles.
- Check the National Weather Service for weather forecasts and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for air quality forecasts.
Traffic safety
Dust storms and flash floods create traffic hazards. Dust storms make it hard to see while driving and can increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident. Flash floods cause serious injuries. Some people are trapped by storms or rushing floodwaters. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe if you are traveling or on the road.
- Keep up with the weather updates. Avoid driving during a dust storm and avoid washes or low desert areas when there is heavy rain in the area. Check the AZ511 and Arizona Department of Transportation Alerts for weather-related road information.
- If you’re in a dust storm while driving, pull off the roadway. Poor visibility can increase the risk of accidents and compromise safety.
- Turn off your lights, take your foot off the brake, and wait in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled until the storm passes.
- For more information visit the Pull Aside Stay Alive website.
- See a flooded roadway? Turn around, don’t drown. If you encounter heavy rainfall while driving, avoid areas where water is pooling in travel lanes and use center lanes if possible.
- Don’t enter flood-prone areas.
- Avoid sudden braking, which can cause you to slide on the wet pavement.
Prevent illness
During monsoon season in Arizona, there is an increased risk of acquiring mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis virus. Mosquitoes are present year-round in the warmest parts of the state, but their activity increases after the rains of the monsoon season. To prevent mosquito-borne diseases you can:
- Empty any stagnant water in your yard that may have accumulated after the rains so mosquitoes can’t breed. Learn more ways to protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones from mosquitos.
- Wear insect repellent when outdoors and at all times of day. Be sure to apply it according to the package instructions, and always apply after sunscreen.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at all times, when possible.
After flooding keep your kids away from flood water areas, which may contain sewage or wastewater. If you have open cuts or wounds, wear protective waterproof shoes and clothes and take extreme precaution when walking through floodwaters to prevent contracting tetanus.
During dust storms avoid going outside, if possible. Blowing dust may carry fungal spores responsible for Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, which is a respiratory infection common in the Southwest.
Food safety
Power outages can occur during storms or floods. This can impact your home in various ways including food and water safety
- Your refrigerator will keep food cool for about four hours without power if it is not opened. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Use coolers with ice to keep food cold if the electricity is out longer than four hours.
- Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for four or more hours. When in doubt, throw it out – if your food has an unusual odor, color, or texture don’t eat it and safely dispose of it.
- Stay aware of water quality notices from your water utility. Use only bottled water or boil or otherwise disinfect well water to make it safe for drinking or cooking.
- Only use water from a safe source for drinking, washing and preparing food or baby formula. Use only prepared canned baby formula for infants that requires no added water if you cannot confirm the safety of your water source.
For more safety tips on how to protect you and your family during monsoon season, visit azhealth.gov/monsoon.
Dr. Eugene Livar currently serves as Arizona's first chief heat officer. Appointed to this role in 2024, he oversees the implementation of Gov. Katie Hobb’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan. He began his public health work at ADHS in 2012 as an epidemiologist assisting with state efforts covering border health and unexplained deaths.
