With the monsoon season just months away, Arizona emergency management officials have launched their annual public awareness campaign, urging residents — particularly newcomers to the state — to prepare for the dramatic summer storms that bring flash floods, dust storms, and lightning to the desert.
The campaign, “Storm Smart AZ,” includes public service announcements, social media outreach, community workshops, and partnerships with schools to educate students about monsoon dangers. Officials say the effort is especially important given Arizona’s continued population growth, which brings thousands of new residents each year who may not be familiar with desert weather hazards.
“Every year we rescue people who had no idea how fast a dry wash can fill with water,” said Maricopa County Emergency Management director Tammy Snook. “We want people to understand these risks before the first storms hit, not during them.”
Flash flooding is the deadliest monsoon hazard. Arizona’s terrain, with its hardpan desert soils, narrow canyons, and dry washes, is uniquely prone to rapid flooding even from storms miles away. The message “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” remains the centerpiece of the campaign, emphasizing that motorists should never attempt to cross flooded roadways.
Arizona’s “Stupid Motorist Law,” which allows authorities to charge drivers who ignore barricades and require rescue from floodwaters with the cost of their rescue, will be highlighted in the campaign. Officials say the law has been effective but that awareness of it remains uneven.
Dust storms, known as haboobs, are another significant monsoon hazard. The massive walls of dust that roll across the desert can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds, causing deadly chain-reaction crashes on highways. The recommended response is to pull completely off the road, turn off headlights, and wait for the storm to pass.
Lightning strikes are also a major concern during monsoon season. Arizona averages more than 30 lightning-related injuries per year, with hikers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts at particular risk.
The campaign materials are available in English, Spanish, and several other languages at stormsmartaz.gov. Community workshops will be held throughout April and May in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties.
