It was a busy end to the work week for Tucson firefighters who responded to several swift water rescues during the first major monsoon storm.
“We responded to six water rescues, and it was kind of unique because they were all in different parts of town, really a lot of running around for crews. It definitely can put a little strain on resources,” said Michael Colaianni, a fire department spokesman.
He added: “We only have so many people that can be on certain calls at a time, so we can make sure we maintain service in other ways. We’re just encouraging people to do as much as they can to stay safe, so they can keep us safe and make sure that we’ll be there in a situation when they really need us.”
The National Weather Service says it should be “prime-time” monsoon season through mid-August, with flash flooding being an area of main concern in Southern Arizona.
Conditions could be ripe for storms to develop during the afternoons as well as “in the middle of the night, early in the morning, or redevelop repeatedly over the same general area,” weather officials say.
It’s a reason why Tucson officials are stressing to drivers to heed their warnings and have the safety of themselves and others at the forefront of their minds.
In preparation for roads potentially becoming impassible, the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility initiated “Operation Splash” to protect motorists and surrounding properties near these areas.
Crews have cleared debris in washes to prevent flowing water from being clogged and overflowing to nearby homes and other properties. They also have set up more than 500 barriers at 150 low-lying areas to close roads when needed.
“When the storms hit, our staff (will) leave their houses, and they’ll start going out monitoring and driving around the city looking for these dip crossings that are flowing with stormwater,” said Michael Graham, a spokesman for the Tucson transportation department.
Crews are on call 24/7 to respond to these areas around town. You likely have seen these barriers signaling “Road Closed” and “Flood Area” lining the sides of roads.
The Cleveland Indians visited Tucson for spring training each year from 1947 to 1993.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
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Graham said the purpose is for motorists to understand the severe risks of crossing these dangerous areas, which is summed up in the department’s motto: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
He noted that motorists should remember when driving that road conditions are not always what they seem.
“When you come to a dip crossing that’s got 3 or 4 inches of water in it, what the person doesn’t know is what happened an hour earlier,” Graham said. “There could have been 4 feet of water coming through that crossing. It could have completely washed away the asphalt, and what may look like 3 to 4 inches of water could actually be a deep hole.”
Disobeying these road hazards could come at a cost, too, according to the commonly known “Stupid Motorist Law” passed by the state in 1995.
It permits agencies to collect up to $2,000 for water rescues if motorists get stuck after purposely driving into flooded areas.
Report storm damage The Tucson transportation department says it is ready to respond to storm-related damage in city right-of-ways.
Resident should report these issues to TDOTConcerns@tucsonaz.gov or call 791-3154.
The Tucson Fire Department said multiple agencies were responding to a swift water call along the Rillito River north of Tucson Mall on Thursday morning. The Northwest Fire District and Green Valley Fire District said they were also responding to several swift water rescues. More weather updates: http://tucne.ws/1fgo
Farewell, monsoon season: Photos of the 2020 season in Tucson
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Sep 28, 2020
The sun is caught between a monsoon storm cloud and the ridge of Roskruge Mountains west of Tucson, Ariz., September 1, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A pair of pedestrian dodge traffic, puddles and raindrops as rush across Euclid at 2nd Street during a monsoon rain which finally soaked the majority of the valley, Tucson, Ariz., August 29, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Passing traffic throws up a wake in the flooded intersection of Euclid and 2nd Street as monsoon finally lets loose some rain over the majority of the valley, Tucson, Ariz., August 29, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Traffic and a street car pass through the wet and shinny intersection of Congress and Granda as monsoon finally lets loose some rain over the majority of the valley, Tucson, Ariz., August 29, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
A woman walks along Grande Ave with her umbrella as sprinkles of rain drop after a monsoon storm rolled over Tucson on August 27, 2020.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
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Jul 1, 2022
Lightning strikes southeast of downtown as a monsoon storm puts on a light-show but misses with the rain again, Tucson, Ariz., August 22, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Scattered monsoon thunderstorms move around the valley dropping localized rain, winds and lightning but largely missing Tucson, Ariz., August 20, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Cloud lightning arcs over the valley as monsoon thunderstorms skirt the majority of Tucson, Ariz., August 20, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
The sun sets on a little monsoon action, mostly contained to the southeast side of the valley, Tucson, Ariz., August 13, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A monsoon storm confined mostly to the east and southern parts of the valley, gets caught in the dying rays of the day's light, Tucson, Ariz., August 13, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Jun 30, 2022
Lightning strikes as a monsoon cell skirts the ranges to the west of the city shortly after sunset on Aug. 7, 2020. Tucson received 1.62 inches of rain during last year’s monsoon.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
A highly localized monsoon cell skirts just to the west of the city with some rain and lightning just after the sun goes down, Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A small patch of rain drops on Sombrero Peak northwest of the city as monsoon again flirts with Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A rain column from a monsoon storms travels north, just west of the city, Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A sundown monsoon storm skirts west of the city, just missing Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
No rain, just a few scattered monsoon clouds reflected in the windows of the former Hotel Arizona, 181 W. Broadway, before sun set over downtown, Tucson, Ariz., August 6, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Jul 2, 2021
Smoky skies from the Apple Fire in California make for a red tint over the sun, as seen from E. Speedway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 2, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Lightning strikes the Santa Rita Mountains as traffic flows on Houghton Road after a monsoon storm picked up steam after passing through the east side just a bit of rain, Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A monsoon storm drives some lighting into the Santa Rita Mountains and beyond just south of Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A monsoon storm hits earth with several lighting bolts southwest of the Santa Rita Mountains and Elephant Head after largely by-passing Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Several lighting bolts hit ground to the southwest of the Santa Rita Mountains and Elephant Head after a monsoon storm largely by-passed Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A highly localized cell of monsoon dumps rain, with a hint of lightning, onto the Rincon Mountains as it sweeps through a small band of the eastern valley, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Monsoon clouds stripe the western just after a highly localized cell dropped rain on parts of Saguaro National Park East, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Dec 14, 2021
A half rainbow arcs over Saguaro National Park East as a highly localized cell of monsoon rain sweeps through a small band of the eastern valley, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Nov 20, 2020
A highly localized monsoon cell drops rain and rainbows on Saguaro National Park East as it sweeps over a small section of the Rincon Mountains and foothills, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Jul 2, 2021
Nighthawks weave through the sunset over the Rillito River, just barely running with the first significant monsoon rainfall of the season, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A mating pair of Couch's spadefoot toads deal with an interloper in the flowing Alamo Wash near the Rillito River with the first significant rainfall from monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A mating pair of Couch's spadefoot toads are among the hundreds out and active in the flowing Alamo Wash near the Rillito River following the first significant rainfall from monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A male Couch's spadefoot toad puffs up making a mating call as the first significant monsoon rainfall has the Alamo Wash flowing for a few hours, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A male Couch's spadefoot toad puffs up making a mating call as the first significant monsoon rainfall gets the wildlife out and active in the Alamo Wash, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A Couch's spadefoot toad lurks in the waters where the Alamo Wash feeds into the Rillito River with the first significant rainfall from monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
The Santa Catalinas are reflected in the last yards of the flooded Alamo Wash just before it dumps into the Rillito River during the first significant monsoon rainfall, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
The last trickles of the Alamo Wash dump into the Rillito River with the first significant rainfall from this year's monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A Couch's spadefoot toad plies the waters of the Alamo Wash just above the Riillito River following the first significant rainfall from monsoon this year, Tucson, Ariz., July 23, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
Dennis Ray helps a motorist whose car stalled at Ft. Lowell Road and Oracle Road after a monsoon storm passed over the Tucson area bringing heavy rain and flooding on July 23, 2020.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A woman walks north along Oracle Road as a monsoon storm brings heavy rain and flooding on July 23, 2020. Tucson Police Department officers shut down Oracle Road north of Miracle Mile due to flooding at Oracle Road and Ft. Lowell Road.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A man crosses the street at Ft. Lowell Road and Oracle Road after a monsoon storm passed over the Tucson area bringing heavy rain and flooding on July 23, 2020.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
The morning light breaks through rain clouds over the Rincon Mountains seen from Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
The shines through rain clouds over Tucson as seen from Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
A person carries an umbrella on their way up Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
Rain falls on the Santa Catalina Mountains as seen from Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
The morning light breaks through rain clouds over the Rincon Mountains seen from Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
Walkers shelter underneath their umbrellas as they make their way up Tumamoc Hill, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
A truck driving south on Tucson Boulevard near Mitchell Street kicks up water following a monsoon, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
Vehicles driving along Tucson Boulevard near Mitchell Street kick up water following a monsoon, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Jul 6, 2022
Water flows from a small wash into the Santa Cruz riverbed following monsoon rains near the Starr Pass Boulevard overpass, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
People carry umbrellas as they walk along Dodge Boulevard near the intersection of Grant Street, on July 23, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Sep 28, 2020
A double rainbow shows over a neighborhood street in Tucson, Ariz on July 15, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2020
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Mar 11, 2021
Tucson sunset behind at Saguaro cactus on July 15, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
An uprooted tree rests against one of the units in Mission Palms Apartments, 951 W. Orange Grove, victim of the first major monsoon storm of the season that rolled through the valley, Tucson, Ariz., July 11, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
Looking for the perfect angle for a photo, Corey McCuin straddles the upper trunk of a tree uprooted the Mission Palms Apartments, 951 W. Orange Grove, in the first major monsoon storm of the season that hit, Tucson, Ariz., July 11, 2020. The tree was one of two that fell in the complex, this one uprooted a couple of steps to a second floor unit and landed in a mostly empty drive.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A rainbow shines in the last of the day's light over Saguaro National Park East first major monsoon storm of the season as it rolls west to wreak a bit of havoc in the valley, Tucson, Ariz., July 11, 2020.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Sep 28, 2020
A rainbow glows in the evening light over Saguaro National Park East, the first major monsoon storm of the season, Tucson, Ariz., July 11, 2020. The storm downed trees, power lines and brief heavy rain in the city.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Nov 20, 2020
Rainbows pop up over Saguaro National Park East, as the first major monsoon storm of the season begins to roll into the valley, Tucson, Ariz., July 11, 2020.\
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star