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Page 15 MONSOON SEASON 2021 Monsoon Safety Tips IF YOU ARE DRIVING Slow down! The first rain of summer brings oils and other automotive fluids to the road surfaces, caus- ing unusually slick conditions. Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways. Even shallow running water exerts great pressure and can sweep your car off the road or stall your engine. Under the Arizona "Stupid Motorist Law" a driver requiring rescue from a flooded wash, with posted warning signs or gates, may also be held responsible for the cost of the water rescue. IF YOU CAN'T SEE DUE TO HEAVY RAIN OR BLOWING DUST: Pull off to the right side as far as possible Turn off your engine and lights Stay inside your vehicle Keep your foot off the brake pedal. Drivers may see your lights and assume you are on the road in motion If you approach an intersection with a non-functional traffic signal, treat it as a 4-way stop. Listen to your car radio for the latest traffic and weather conditions. Monsoon storms are big news and you can usually get precise information about where the storms are and what traffic is like. IF YOU ARE AT HOME: Turn off all unnecessary power equipment to reduce the draw on power companies. This is a prime time for power outages. Keep batteries, flashlights, and a battery operated radio or TV handy. Stay off the phone. Even cordless phones can cause a shock when lightning strikes nearby. Use cell phones only if necessary. Stay away from plumbing fixtures as lightning can travel along metal pipes. Keep away from windows as high winds can blow heavy debris. IF THE POWER GOES OUT: Switch off high usage items such as air conditioners, computers and televisions so there is no danger of overloading your system or damaging these products with voltage fluctuations when power returns. Surge protectors for your computer and electronic equipment will provide extra protection. Turn on your battery powered radio or TV for information. Limit how often you open doors so cool air stays inside. Keep your freezer and refrigerator door closed. Talk to your neighbors and offer to be of help. LIGHTNING: Lightning is dangerous no matter where you are. If you find yourself outdoors when lightning strikes: Seek shelter immediately. Stay away from open fields, high land, trees, poles and standing bodies of water. Do not swim or hold metal objects, including golf clubs and lawn chairs. Stay off the phone. Even cordless phones can cause a shock when lightning strikes nearby. Use cell phones only if necessary. Stay away from plumbing fixtures as lightning can travel along metal pipes. CONTACT #'s TO KEEP IN YOUR PHONE AT ALL TIMES: ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION DIAL 911 ANONYMOUS TIP LINE (928) 669-5341 POLICE/ FIRE/ MEDICAL: (928) 669-1277 PD Administration: Phone (928) 669-1386 CRIT Fire NON-EMERGENCY (928) 662-4388 To report a flooded road or downed trees, call CRIT Police Department Non-Emergency (928) 669-1277. Parker Indian Health Service (928) 669-2137 La Paz Regional Medical Center (928) 669-9201 Report a Service Outage in your area: BIA Electric (928) 669-7173 Arizona Public Service Co. (Electric) 602.371.7171 Southwest Gas (Gas) 877.860.6020 CRIT Utilities (928) 669-2121 Frontier (Telephone) 877.348.9007 Best Free Weather Apps to download on your Iphone: The Weather Channel AccuWeather 1Weather MyRadar ------------------- IMPORTANT: SIGN UP FOR NIXLE ON YOUR PHONE SEE AD THIS PAGE. Fireworks are strictly prohibited on the reservation, if you hear or see fireworks call the CRIT PD NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 928.669.1277 NO FIRES ALLOWED IN THESE EXTREME CONDITIONS MAJOR POWER OUTAGE SHELTER LOCATION IS IRATABA GYM