In brief
As Tropical Storm Priscilla makes its way towards the southwestern U.S., regions like Arizona are under flash flood warnings due to forecasts predicting unprecedented rainfall. Experts are urging residents to take precautions, especially in areas with minimal drainage. Recent flooding events in Texas and New Mexico highlight the dangers associated with such storms, prompting meteorologists to encourage community vigilance as they prepare for the possibility of severe weather.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A region more accustomed to baking heat than soggy weather is about to get soaked, raising the risk of flash floods that can surprise — and kill — in minutes.
Downgraded from a powerful hurricane, Tropical Storm Priscilla has lost its punch in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. But the storm still carries plenty of moisture and is now bearing down on the southwestern U.S., where flood warnings already were posted Thursday.
Forecasters expect rain bands from Priscilla’s remnants to saturate areas of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado through this weekend, bringing as much moisture in hours as some of those places might get all year.
Recent deadly flooding in Texas and New Mexico speaks to what can go badly with rain like that.
“We don’t want to see people caught up in the hazards we are going to be seeing,” said meteorologist Robert Rickey with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Arizona Will Be Hit Hardest
Northern Arizona is most at risk, with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of rain expected in and around Flagstaff, the national park gateway city south of the Grand Canyon.
Some areas could get even more, said Rickey, but where exactly that will happen is impossible to predict very long in advance.
High-elevation Flagstaff gets ample rain, typically amounting to 2 feet (60 centimeters) a year, though not often in such big doses. Southwestern and northeastern Arizona see far less, in some places as little as 5 inches (13 centimeters) or even less annually.
Dangers of Flash Flooding
In drought-prone areas, deluges can lead to rapid flooding, especially in urban areas with limited drainage and in remote canyons. Such storms can catch outdoor enthusiasts by surprise, heightening risks.
Flash floods are particularly notorious in the Southwest, and a “stupid motorist law” in Arizona penalizes those who drive into flooded areas, potentially leading to costly rescues.
Recent floods have illustrated the urgency of storm preparation, with officials advising residents to heed warnings and avoid risky areas.
As the storm approaches, precautionary measures are already in place in Flagstaff with flood monitors active and temporary sandbags distributed to residents.
Amidst the uncertainty, communities brace for what could be a significant weather event, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst as rain from Priscilla approaches.
