Manataba Messenger

Page 15 Monsoon Season is June 15 – Sept. 30 As established by the National Weather Service, the monsoon sea- son in Arizona is June 15 through Sept. 30 every year. The word mon- soon comes from the Arabic word “mausim,” which means “season.” A monsoon is a large-scale change in overall weather pattern, and, for the desert, this describes the period of time when rainstorms are more prevalent. While these storms can be a nice break from the heat, they can also be dangerous. Should you find yourself in a monsoon, follow these safety tips to ensure you are well pre- pared: •Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Remember, that it does not have to be raining for you to be struck by lightning. •If you hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning. Control of a vehicle can be lost in as little as 6 inches of water. Most vehicles will begin to float in 2 feet of water. It is very difficult, espe- cially at night, to discern the depth or force of flowing water. •Dust storms are also a common result of monsoons. If you are driv- ing during a dust storm, pull to the side of the road until it passes. Be sure to park as far over as you can and turn off your headlights and tail- lights until it is safe to return to driv- ing. This information is provided by the NWS, the information below is provided by CRIT DHSS Office of Social Services.