Maricopa County tools could help residents avoid monsoon troubles

PHOENIX — As Arizona’s monsoon season officially gets underway, Maricopa County is reminding residents they can turn to online resources to avoid trouble during storms.

Jennifer Pokorski, a citizen advocate with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, said one of the most useful tools on the agency’s site is an interactive stream flow map.

“You can see where the water is going and what areas to stay away from,” she said.

Coupling the stream flow map with the Maricopa County Department of Transportation’s road closure map could help drivers avoid potentially life-threatening situations.

“It’s so important to stay out (of flooded areas),” Pokorski said. “People underestimate the power of the water.”

Pokorski also encouraged homeowners to check flood plain maps and possibly purchase flood insurance.

Signing up for the county’s Reverse 911 system is another tool that could help residents stay safe during the monsoon. The system allows agencies to send out automated calls to households in a certain area to notify them about emergency situations happening nearby.

“It’s a great way to notify areas that are very specific,” Julie Syrmopoulos, operations manager with Maricopa County Emergency Management, said.

The system can call up to 30,000 households per minute, according to Syrmopoulos. The system could be used to ask residents to stay inside or shelter in place, as well as provide additional instructions and information.

Landline phones will automatically receive calls, but cell phones and other systems such as Voice or IP must be registered.