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Outdoor activities can pose dangers during monsoon
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| Hiking in southern Arizona can be exhilarating, but also a challenge. From flash floods to critters, the hiker should always be aware of his or her surroundings. (Ed HONDA/Wick Communications) |
By Allison Gatlin/wick communications
With the monsoon now in full swing, it is important for people to remember how to stay safe while enjoying the many outdoor wonders that surround our quaint little town in the desert.
Hiking, camping, climbing, caving and numerous water related activities can all be found within minutes of Willcox. However, activities that can provide hours of fun and life-long memories can also prove to be very dangerous when combined with the rain, wind, and flooding associated with the monsoon.
As the rains come down, people participating in outdoor activities must not only remain aware of their surroundings, but also be conscious of the weather and remember that it can change in and instant.
"Storms can develop fairly rapidly, especially at higher elevations," said Mike Bruce of the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Not only is it important to be aware of what is happening while participating in outdoor activities, but also what the weather may be doing afterward. Nothing beats out-pacing the rain and making it back to the car just in time, unless you have to sit in the car for three hours because a flood took out the only road in the area.
"Every year we have motorists try to drive across flooded washes" and need to be rescued, Bruce said. "And it just keeps happening."
Some of the more obvious dangers associated with the monsoon relate to flash floods, slippery ground, and rock or mud slides. In areas such as Carr and Miller Canyon, the ground is heavily sloped and rain can cause hikers to slip on rocks or mud in an area that could potentially prove fatal. Heavily sloped areas could also cause water to funnel into ravines and narrow canyons, potentially producing a torrent of fast moving flood water.
One of the worst flash floods in Arizona state history occurred on Labor Day in 1970 when a major storm in the area of Kohls Ranch Campground near Payson "brought a rush of water that killed a number of campers," said Bruce.
The exact number killed is different among state agencies since other people were killed in nearby locations, but the lowest reports put the number at 17 dead. And even more recent was a flash flood at a campground in Arkansas that killed dozens and left many more missing. "The most dangerous thing about flash floods is when (people) are camping," Bruce said.
Services and tools that many hikers and outdoor recreationists rely on can also be disrupted during a big storm.
Many of these tools, such as GPS units and cell phones, can be damaged by water and may not work reliably during bad weather.
"If lightning were to strike a tower or if your phone gets wet, it may go out," said Sheila Robitaillen, an assistant manager at Verizon Wireless in Sierra Vista.
Lightning is also a major hazard when it comes to being outdoors during a storm.
"Lightning is a big threat, especially in higher terrain. When people hear thunder they should move indoors. Even being in a car is better than being outside during heavy lightning," said Bruce.
When it comes to water related activities, heavy downpours can reduce visibility. Boaters may not be able to see far enough ahead of them in order to properly steer the boat, and as rain splashes on the water's surface it reduces the ability of boaters to locate and avoid low lying hazards such as rocks or swimmers.
Hypothermia is also possible as temperatures drop, water soaks clothes and the wind decreases the body's surface temperature.
"Temperatures can drop from 80 degrees down to 50 in a short period of time," Bruce said.
However, by being aware of the weather and how it can impact surrounding areas, a person can greatly decrease the chance of being caught unprepared. In the end, being prepared means being safe, and being safe means going home and having a great story to tell about a fun day spent outdoors.
STAY SAFE
Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions.
In this area, weather can change very quickly. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing weather conditions.
Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms.
Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Head indoors or sit in a car if at all possible.
Remember that even in the summer, exposure to wind and rain can result in hypothermia.
Information obtained from http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/safety/safety.shtml
WILLCOX NUMBERS
The annual average precipitation at Willcox is 13.35 inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.
The wettest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 2.59 inches.
Source: http://www.idcide.com/weather/az/willcox.htm
Hiking, camping, climbing, caving and numerous water related activities can all be found within minutes of Willcox. However, activities that can provide hours of fun and life-long memories can also prove to be very dangerous when combined with the rain, wind, and flooding associated with the monsoon.
As the rains come down, people participating in outdoor activities must not only remain aware of their surroundings, but also be conscious of the weather and remember that it can change in and instant.
"Storms can develop fairly rapidly, especially at higher elevations," said Mike Bruce of the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Not only is it important to be aware of what is happening while participating in outdoor activities, but also what the weather may be doing afterward. Nothing beats out-pacing the rain and making it back to the car just in time, unless you have to sit in the car for three hours because a flood took out the only road in the area.
"Every year we have motorists try to drive across flooded washes" and need to be rescued, Bruce said. "And it just keeps happening."
Some of the more obvious dangers associated with the monsoon relate to flash floods, slippery ground, and rock or mud slides. In areas such as Carr and Miller Canyon, the ground is heavily sloped and rain can cause hikers to slip on rocks or mud in an area that could potentially prove fatal. Heavily sloped areas could also cause water to funnel into ravines and narrow canyons, potentially producing a torrent of fast moving flood water.
One of the worst flash floods in Arizona state history occurred on Labor Day in 1970 when a major storm in the area of Kohls Ranch Campground near Payson "brought a rush of water that killed a number of campers," said Bruce.
The exact number killed is different among state agencies since other people were killed in nearby locations, but the lowest reports put the number at 17 dead. And even more recent was a flash flood at a campground in Arkansas that killed dozens and left many more missing. "The most dangerous thing about flash floods is when (people) are camping," Bruce said.
Services and tools that many hikers and outdoor recreationists rely on can also be disrupted during a big storm.
Many of these tools, such as GPS units and cell phones, can be damaged by water and may not work reliably during bad weather.
"If lightning were to strike a tower or if your phone gets wet, it may go out," said Sheila Robitaillen, an assistant manager at Verizon Wireless in Sierra Vista.
Lightning is also a major hazard when it comes to being outdoors during a storm.
"Lightning is a big threat, especially in higher terrain. When people hear thunder they should move indoors. Even being in a car is better than being outside during heavy lightning," said Bruce.
When it comes to water related activities, heavy downpours can reduce visibility. Boaters may not be able to see far enough ahead of them in order to properly steer the boat, and as rain splashes on the water's surface it reduces the ability of boaters to locate and avoid low lying hazards such as rocks or swimmers.
Hypothermia is also possible as temperatures drop, water soaks clothes and the wind decreases the body's surface temperature.
"Temperatures can drop from 80 degrees down to 50 in a short period of time," Bruce said.
However, by being aware of the weather and how it can impact surrounding areas, a person can greatly decrease the chance of being caught unprepared. In the end, being prepared means being safe, and being safe means going home and having a great story to tell about a fun day spent outdoors.
STAY SAFE
Information obtained from http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/safety/safety.shtml
WILLCOX NUMBERS
Source: http://www.idcide.com/weather/az/willcox.htm
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