SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (KGUN) — Cochise County isn't anticipating floods until monsoon season but they do warn residents to be prepared in case they need to evacuate.
According to the county's emergency management director, Dan Duchon, between 80 to 90 homes in St. David and Elfrida were affected by flooding last summer.
He is urging residents to be prepared and to sign up for the county's alert system before the rainy season begins. It notifies people, who are signed up, when and where there are hazardous situations in the county — including fires, floods and an other natural disasters.
Duchon said the most common mistake people make in floods is driving through them instead of turning around.
“Never drive through a flooded wash or an arroyo to get to the other side of the street," he said. "It’s always dangerous. A very small amount of water can move your vehicle ”
Duchon also wants people to remember the effects of floods on dirt roads. It's often forgotten that with the rain comes mud and mud can cause cars to get stuck.
Cochise County residents can sign up for the alert system by visiting their website.
The alert system will notify residents when they need to prepare to evacuate and when they need actually leave their houses.
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Alexis Ramanjulu is a reporter in Cochise County for KGUN 9. She began her journalism career reporting for the Herald/Review in Sierra Vista, which she also calls home. Share your story ideas with Alexis by emailing alexis.ramanjulu@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook.
