Winter storm worst in nearly 20 years

219

Hannah VanWinkle and Eduardo China were looking out at the huge lake behind their Tortosa home, a lake that wasn’t there a few days ago.

“We are really scared that this could creep up into our backyard,” VanWinkle said, which is why she and China stopped by Maricopa Fire Station No. 571 to fill up sandbags. The Tortosa couple aren’t alone in their concern. With a massive winter storm approaching, and estimates of up to 3 inches of rain forecast for Maricopa, many residents are keeping an eye toward the sky.

“This storm is off the charts in rain potential, and it’s getting stronger as it approaches,” said Doug Green, science officer with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. “I’ve been here 18 years, and I’ve never seen a winter storm like this. It’s definitely record breaking.”

Green said it’s rare to see a storm of this intensity and an unusually strong pressure system. “You (Maricopa area) can expect quite a bit more rain and wind,” he said. Green said the storm will be even stronger in northern Arizona where 5 to 8 feet of snow are expected.

This winter weather disturbance comes on the heels of a smaller rain storm that dumped more than an inch of rain on Maricopa on Tuesday.The National Weather Service is predicting high winds and heavy rain over the next 24 hours. “We predict at least another two inches for the area,” Green said.

Maricopa is currently under flash flood warning as well as a high wind warning, with gusts of as high as 55 mph possible.

Brad Pitassi, spokesman for the Maricopa Fire Department, said the city is a good place in preparing for the coming storm. “We’re staying on top of it, keeping an eye on how it develops.”

To help control any localized flooding, the city is making available sand, shovels and approximately 250 sandbags for residents to stop by and make sandbags to protect their homes if needed. The sand is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and supplies are limited, Pitassi said.

“We’ve had about 20 people stop by,” Pitassi said. He recommends citizens bring medium-sized garbage bags in case the city’s sandbags are already used up. If needed, Pitassi said another location would be added for sandbag pickup.

Pitassi said the city would continue to closely monitor the weather but advised residents not to travel unless necessary and if they do travel to keep headlights on, and maintain a safe braking distance on slippery, rain-soaked roads.

Also, avoid crossing flooded roadways. “A good saying to remember is: ‘turnaround, don’t drown,’” Pitassi said.

Need sandbags?

Where: Maricopa Fire Station No. 571,
20945 N. Porter Road (cross streets are Smith-Enke and Porter roads)
When: Until supplies run out

Click here to read a related story.
 For more details about current rainfall, click here.

Photo by Jim Williams