We had a dry spring and it continued into the Summer.  June was more like August but it was like that throughout the Southwest.  A couple days ago the monsoons began with a vengeance.  We had periods of torrential rain  followed by blue skies.  This past weekend we had 3″ of rain.  Everyone is happy about the rains though, we needed them.  We had all kinds of wildlife that came down off of House Mountain into the Village of Oak Creek looking for water until the rains began.

Here’s some safety tips for flash floods from NOAA.  Some areas in or near the mountains around Sedona and the Verde Valley can have flash floods occur.  It’s mostly common sense but if you’re not from an area that sees these, you may want to review them.

Flash Flood Safety Rules

Flash flood waves, moving at incredible speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Killing walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. You will not always have warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming.

When a flash flood warning is issued for your area or the moment you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. You may have only seconds.

Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc.

Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not try to cross a flowing stream on foot where water is above your knees.

If driving, know the depth of the water in a dip before crossing. The road bed may not be intact under the water.

If the vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.

During any flood emergency, stay tuned to your NOAA weather radio, commercial radio, or television. Information from the national weather service and disaster and emergency services may save your life.