Desert Messenger

July 11, 2018 www.DesertMessenger.com 3 SEE MONSOON PAGE 15 Corner of Moon Mt. & Cowell • Quartzsite • 928-927-5400 QUARTZSITE'S ONLY YEAR ROUND SALON - MON-FRI Cheyanne and Debbi ARE HERE FOR YOUR OPEN YEAR ROUND! Hair, Nails, and Pedicure Services Wed. Aug. 8 Aug. 1 RETURNING TO TWICE/MONTH PUBLISHING ON SEPTEMBER 5 th Desert Messenger Summer Publishing Schedule Call 928-916-4235 E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Plan ahead - Monsoon safety tips SPECIAL SUMMER EDITIONS: DATES DEADLINE The best way to avoid lightning, fl ash fl oods, and other dangerous conditions is by not being in dan- ger in the fi rst place. Many ways are available to gain weather informa- tion including: • Watching current weather fore- casts on TV or the internet • Listening to weather reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio • Subscribing to lightning and se- vere weather notifi cation services • Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead before leav- ing a safe location Disaster Supply Kit Contents Every family should prepare a fam- ily disaster supply kit in the event of severe weather conditions. The disaster supply kit should contain essential items such as food, wa- ter, and sturdy clothing, to sustain a family for up to three days since electric power, gas and water ser- vices may be interrupted. • Three gallons of water in clean, closed containers for each person and pet • First aid kit • A stock of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration • Portable and working battery-op- erated radio, fl ashlights, and extra batteries (Candles and oil lamps are fi re hazards) • Necessary medications • Back-up power source for life sup- port or other medical equipment that requires electricity to function Flash Flood Safety Many governmental agencies are dedicated to alerting the community to road closures during our thunder- storm season. Town of Quartzsite Public Works and La Paz County pre-deploy barricades and emergen- cy fl ashers to locations where they know water will be running across roadways, causing major problems for motorists. Local law enforcement and fi re departments pre-deploy response teams into areas that are known to become inaccessible during heavy rain and runoff conditions. More deaths each year occur due to fl ooding than from any other thun- derstorm-related hazard because people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles that are swept downstream. Flash Flood Safety for Homeowners • If you live in a fl ood prone area have an evacuation plan. • Store materials like sandbags, ply- wood, plastic sheeting and lumber for protection from fl oodwaters and to make quick repairs after a severe storm. • Store materials above fl ood levels. • Secure wanted objects to prevent them from fl oating away. • Learn where to fi nd high ground, which is safe from fl ooding. In a fl ash fl ood seek high ground quickly. • Contact an insurance agent to discuss fl ood insurance coverage. Flood losses are not covered under normal homeowners' insurance policies. Flood insurance is avail- able through the National Flood Insurance Program. Get coverage early-there is a waiting period be- fore it takes effect. Turn Around Don't Drown™ Safety Tips • Driving around barricades is ille- gal and dangerous. • Do not let children play near storm drains or washes after a heavy rain. • Avoid low-water crossings. • Avoid camping in a wash or in the bot- tom of a canyon with steep side slopes. • Be especially cautious at night. Flood dangers are much more dif- fi cult to see in the dark. • Even a less serious urban fl ood can be dangerous. Driving too fast through standing water can cause a car to hydroplane. The best defense is to slow down or pull well off the road (with the lights off) for a few minutes to wait out heavy rains. • Avoid areas already fl ooded, espe- cially if the water is fl owing fast. • Do not attempt to cross fl owing streams. • Do not camp or park a vehicle along streams and washes, particu- larly during threatening conditions. • If fl ooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to fl ooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. • Roadbeds may be washed out under fl oodwaters. Never drive through fl ooded roadways. • If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. • If a traffi c signal is out, treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. • As little as ten inches of water can fl oat average-sized cars, mini-vans, SUVs and trucks. Strength of the fl ow is the critical force. • When in doubt, wait it out, or fi nd a safer route. Lightning Safety When thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. There is no place outside that is safe from a lightning strike. Remaining indoors for 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning and hearing the last thunder will eliminate the risk at the end of storms. If fewer than 30 seconds elapse be- tween the time you see a fl ash and hear the thunder, then the fl ash is less than 6 miles away.

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