Jan

21

Major Winter Storm Headed Our Way – Be Prepared for Rain and Wind

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FLORENCE – A major winter storm heading west from California is beginning to make its entrance into central Arizona.

Pinal County residents should be prepared for one to three inches of rain in the next 12 to 24 hours with high winds in excess of 70 miles per hour that may accompany the storm.

Pinal County Emergency Manager, Lou Miranda, said that his department is working with local jurisdictions along with state and tribal authorities to prepare for any damage the storm might bring.

“Taking direction from our Board of Supervisors, we have deployed local assets. Many fire departments have sand bags if residents find they need them, we are also bringing in more sand bags just in case,” Miranda said. “From our Emergency Operations Center, we are monitoring rain and flood gauges along our washes. Briefings from the National Weather Service and monitoring the Weather Service website are allowing us to gather updated storm information. We have also been in contact with the Red Cross to stand by if we need shelter operations. In addition, we have contacted our special needs populations – nursing and group homes and the like – to see if they need assistance.”

Miranda offered this these tips for storm preparation:

* Stay indoors – only travel if absolutely necessary
* Pick up or secure any items that may blow around in the high winds, such as trash cans, toys, bicycles, lawn furniture and outdoor barbeques
* Avoid downed power lines
* Obey all traffic signals and never go around barricades
* If you have a battery powered radio, keep it nearby for emergency instructions
* Have flashlights ready in case the power goes out
* Never, never drive into a flooded area. Even if you know the area, you cannot tell how deep the water is, what dangers may lurk underneath or how fast the current is moving.
* Reduce your speed so you can react and avoid road debris or emergency situations. Do not use cruise control.
* Avoid driving through large puddles. Hidden debris could damage your tires, you could lose control of the vehicle or water could splash up into your engine compartment causing serious problems.
* If your wipers are on, your headlights should be on, too.
* If you have to stop, pull off the road and turn everything off so other drivers don’t mistake you for the lane of traffic.

As of 5:00 pm, Pinal County has two roads closed: Sliver King Road in the Queen Valley area, Centurion Lane in Riverside along with Henness and Battaglia Roads in Arizona City. For more road closure information please contact Pinal County’s Road Closure hotline at 520-866-6078.

There will be more information once it becomes available.

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-Pinal County Press Release

Jan

21

Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding Predicted for Pinal County

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FLORENCE, AZ – The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch, Flood Watch, High Wind Watch and Hazardous Weather Outlook covering a significant portion of the state, including Pinal County. An incoming storm is forecast to bring significant rain to Pinal County. Showers may develop as soon as this evening and continuing off and on through Friday. Wind gusts could reach 55 miles per hour.

“We have been planning for these storms since last week, clearing debris from drainage areas, mobilizing signage and barricades near trouble areas and preparing sandbags,” said Greg Stanley, Pinal County’s Director of Public Works. “We know where the trouble spots are and, with this much rain headed our way, we expect flooding as well as road obstructions from debris or downed trees.”

Arizona’s annual rainfall is typically about 7 inches on average. Forecasters are predicting two to four inches of rain, maybe more.

“This could go down in the history books as one of the wettest storms to hit Arizona,” Stanley said. “Public Works and Public Safety will have their hands full trying to keep people safe.”

Stanley offered some foul weather driving tips:

* Motorists should eliminate any unnecessary trips during the storm.
* Never, never drive into a flooded area. Even if you know the area, you cannot tell how deep the water is, what dangers may lurk underneath or how fast the current is moving.
* Reduce your speed so you can react and avoid road debris or emergency situations. Do not use cruise control.
* Avoid driving through large puddles. Hidden debris could damage your tires, you could lose control of the vehicle or water could splash up into your engine compartment causing serious problems.
* If your wipers are on, your headlights should be on, too.
* If you have to stop, pull off the road and turn everything off so other drivers don’t mistake you for the lane of traffic.

If you need to report debris in the roads, trees down or other hazards, call your local police or the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 520-866-5111.

Large, hazardous debris on county roads can be reported to Pinal County Public Works during normal business hours by calling 888-431-1311 or 520-509-3555.

As road conditions become known, Pinal County Public Works will be updating its website and hotline with closures or restrictions. The road closure hotline is 520-866-6078. To view the current list of road closures at any time, go to www.pinalcountyaz.gov and click on the yellow icon that says Detour Ahead Road Closure Information on the right side of the county’s main home page.

Pinal County maintains and updates its website with all the latest information to keep you informed on events and tourism, road conditions, public health, public works projects and other important information. Visit and bookmark www.pinalcountyaz.gov to stay informed.

Jan

21

Sandbags available at Maricopa Fire Station 571

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WHAT: The City of Maricopa is making available sand, shovels and approximately 250 sandbags for residents to stop by and make sandbags to
protect their homes from the storm. This sand will be on a first come, first serve basis and supplies are limited. If interested in sand we
recommend citizens bring medium-sized garbage bags to fill if the City’s sandbags are already used up.

WHERE: Maricopa Fire Station 571
20945 N. Porter Rd.
Cross Streets of Smith-Enke Rd. and Porter Rd

WHEN: 10:00am till supplies run out

- Brad Pitassi PIO MFD

Jan

16

8523mine.com is back

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well, kind of.

Keep an eye out for major changes soon.