It's the Mother of All Storm Seasons: Monsoon Weather Survival Tips

From about mid June until the end of September Arizona plays host to a myriad of weather conditions called the Monsoon Season. During this period we get everything from minor dust and wind to electrifying lightning displays and sudden heavy downpours. Serious damage can and does occur. It is not uncommon to see felled trees, downed power lines and outages, and flash flooding. Mother Nature can be very unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared and know what to do if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

Planning ahead

The best way to avoid lightning, flash floods, and other dangerous conditions is by not being in danger in the first place. 

There are many available ways to gain weather information including:

• Watching current weather forecasts on TV or the internet
• Listening to weather reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio
• Subscribing to lightning and severe weather notification services
• Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead before leaving a safe location

Be prepared for an emergency by having a 'disaster supply kit' on hand. Have one kit for the car and another kit at home. Every family should prepare a family disaster supply kit to use in the event of severe weather conditions that could knock out power and communications, potentially leaving you stranded for a few days.

Disaster Supply Kit Contents:

• food, water, and sturdy clothing to sustain a family for up to 3 days since electric power, gas and water services may be interrupted. 
• 3 gallons of water in clean, closed containers for each person and pet 
• First aid kit 
• A stock of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration 
• Portable and working battery-operated radio, flashlights, and extra batteries (Candles and oil lamps are fire hazards) 
• Necessary medications 
• Back-up power source for life support or other medical equipment that requires electricity to function

Dust Storms

These are an underrated killer in Arizona! Straight line winds in any thunderstorm can lift huge clouds of dust and reduce visibility to near zero in seconds, which can quickly result in deadly, multi-vehicle accidents on roadways. 

Dust storms, or haboobs, are more common during the early part of the monsoon, but can occur at any time during the season, depending on rainfall patterns. Be prepared for blowing dust and reduced visibility any time thunderstorms are nearby. 

         

Remember: PULL ASIDE, STAY ALIVE! If you encounter a dust storm, and cannot avoid driving into it. Pull off the road as far as you can safely do so. Turn off your headlights and taillights. Put your vehicle in "PARK," and/or engage your parking brake, and take your foot off the brake (so your brake lights are not illuminated.) Other motorists may tend to follow tail lights in an attempt to get through the dust storm, and may strike your vehicle from behind. For additional information, see pullasidestayalive.org

Dust storms usually last a few minutes, and up to an hour at most. Stay where you are until the dust storm passes. 

Flash Flood Safety

Did you know that each year more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm-related hazard because people underestimate the force and power of water. 66% of flood deaths occur in automobiles that are swept downstream.

Many governmental agencies are dedicated to alerting the community to road closures during our thunderstorm season. Most cities pre-deploy barricades and emergency flashers to locations where they know water will be running across roadways causing major problems for motorists. 

As little as ten inches of water can float average-sized cars, mini-vans, SUVs and trucks. Strength of the flow is the critical force. Even a less serious urban flood can be dangerous. Driving too fast through standing water can cause a car to hydroplane. The best defense is to slow down or pull well off the road (with the lights off) for a few minutes to wait out heavy rains. Avoid areas that are already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing water and do not go around barricades, it's illegal. 
When in doubt, wait it out, or find a safer route. If you ignore posted warnings and end up needing to be rescued, you will be responsible for the cost of the rescue (see "stupid motorist law").
If you live in a flood prone area have an evacuation plan. If possible, store materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber for protection from floodwaters and to make quick repairs after a severe storm. Store materials above flood levels. Secure wanted objects to prevent them from floating away. 

Learn where to find high ground, which is safe from flooding. In a flash flood situation seek high ground quickly. 

Contact an insurance agent to discuss flood insurance coverage. Flood losses are not covered under normal homeowners' insurance policies. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Get coverage early-there is a waiting period before it takes effect.

Lightning Safety

When thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. There is no place outside that is safe from a lightning strike. Remaining indoors for 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning and hearing the last thunder will eliminate the risk at the end of storms.

If fewer than 30 seconds elapse between the time you see a flash and hear the thunder, then the flash is less than 6 miles away. Research has shown that the most successive flashes are within 6 miles, which means that you should have reached a safe place if lightning is less than 6 miles away.

If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately.

2015 Meadows G.A.I.N. Day BBQ

As if living in the Meadows wasn't already great enough, each November our residents get together for the Annual G.A.I.N. Day Barbecue to celebrate our beautiful and safe community. If you haven't been yet, you may be wondering what this G.A.I.N. Day is and what it's for.


How we came to have G.A.I.N.

All across the US, states get together for the National Night Out. A night to connect with your neighbors, show solidarity as a neighborhood, while bringing back a true sense of community, and it provides a great opportunity to bring the local police, emergency responders, city leaders and residents together under positive circumstances. The problem with NNO is that is held in August which is not a good time of year for Arizonans to be outdoors - too hot!

So, Arizona adopted it's own version of NNO, Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods, G.A.I.N. for short. The city of Maricopa officially registered 4 years ago, and Maricopa Meadows has been involved ever since!


Oh how our G.A.I.N. grows...

The event is open to all residents of Maricopa Meadows and each year, our community G.A.I.N. event attracts more and more of you! Maricopa Meadows holds the unofficial title for having the largest event attendance and we aim to keep it!

The Maricopa Meadows Board of Directors and HOA generously provides the free food and drink, entertainment, and raffle prizes. It's a free family-style BBQ with bounce houses (firmly affixed to the ground), a DJ, appearances by the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Maricopa Fire Department. Did I mention the raffle? Raffle tickets are handed out to those who attend the BBQ and a drawing is held towards the end of the evening!


Volunteers needed

The event is a huge undertaking and we always need volunteers to help out. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, email us at: mmblockwatchprogram@gmail.com

For other event info, email Eric Schmidt at mmbodschmidt@yahoo.com

Water (and Pool) Safety Tips for Summer

Did you know that each day in the United States, 10 people die due to drowning or water-related accidents, and that 4 of those are children? So that means that this Summer, approximately 360 children will die from preventable water-related accidents!


This Summer you can help lower that number by making sure you and your loved ones know how to be safe around water with these simple tips:

Make water safety your priority

1. Learn to swim - the Aquatic Center at Copper Sky offers swimming lessons for children and adults, from beginners to experienced. For more info or to register go to: https://goo.gl/zoFQ37

2. Use the buddy system - ALWAYS swim with a buddy and NEVER leave a child unattended around water. If a child goes missing, look for them in the pool or spa first.

3. Know CPR and life-saving skills - it's very important to know what to do in an emergency when minutes count! RESCUE first, call 911 second, perform CPR and rescue breathing next. You can contact the Red-cross for information on CPR and first-aid classes in the area.

4. Keep safety equipment nearby - if you own a pool or spa make sure that you have a reaching device like a long pole with a hook, a throwing device like a ring that floats, life-jackets, a first-aid kit and a cell phone that are easily reached in the event of an emergency.

5. Prevent unsupervised access to water - install and use barriers in and around your pool or spa, remove access ladders and any structures that enable access to the pool or spa such as furniture and play ground equipment, and make sure all latches are closed and locks are locked. Also keep toys that are not in use away from the pool area as these attract children.

6. Share your safety plan - Once you have a safety plan in place, make sure that your family, friends and neighbors know and understand it. Make a pledge for water safety and have everyone sign it!

To test your knowledge about water safety, take this quiz: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety/quiz

While installing safety devices and adopting water safety behaviors help ensure the safety of pools and spas, it’s also important for parents and families to advocate for water safety in their local communities and neighborhoods.

The Pool Safely campaign gives parents and families the water safety information and tools they need to become more involved in pool and spa safety efforts locally—both in their neighborhoods and the wider community.

Does Your Home Scream "Burgle Me?", 5 signs that it may:

With summer vacation in full swing and the heat index climbing higher, it's no wonder we take the family and leave town for a week or two.

But just because you are on vacation doesn't mean the burglars are too. On average, it takes a thief about 60 seconds to break into your home and another 10 minutes to clean you out, so you want to make certain that you aren't advertising your empty house to the criminal elements in town.

Here is a short list of things to avoid to protect your home and its contents:

1. Valuables that are clearly visible
The fix: Clear windows of valuables and make sure that expensive electronics aren't displayed prominently in front of windows. A burglar's decision to break-in is significantly swayed by what they can see in and around your home. Close the window coverings, put away the expensive stuff and put the vehicles inside the garage when you are away.

2. Piled up newspapers, door hangers and flyers
The fix: Take a moment to call and have your newspaper paused during your trip. In addition, keep the front entry clear of promotional mail. Have a neighbor r friend stop by and pick up the flyers. "Criminals will pose as salespeople and stick business cards or flyers in between the door and the door frame. They then return to the area 48 hours later. If those cards or flyers are still there, that's a good indication that the owner is gone", explains Sarah Dodson of Home Zada.

3. Absence of a security system
The fix: I'm not saying that you need to run out and get yourself a home security system, but it would be nice. Nowadays we have options. For the immediate future, you could just get an app that helps you monitor your home by alerting via your mobile that a door has been opened and detects movement in your home.

4. Obvious hiding places for that spare key
The fix: I have a spare key that my dad buried in the front yard. I still cannot find it. I do not recommend burying the spare, but instead, give the spare to a neighbor or family member who is watching the house. That is much better than leaving it under the doormat or a potted plant.
5. A dark home is a vacant home
The fix: Many of us turn out all of the lights before we go to bed, however, no lights to a burglar means nobody is home. Invest in a few timers and have them set at different times around the house. I usually recommend timers be set for times similar to your usual evening routine with one on the television that comes on and goes off when you would typically be watching TV. Also purchase dusk-till-dawn light fixtures for those outside lights. These turn on at sundown and go off at sunrise.


One thread that runs through all these various red flags is that building a network to protect your home is one of the best options to ensure security. That network can be based on flesh-and-blood neighbors or it can be a hardwired system — ideally, it's a bit of both.

Burglars work fast when it comes to break-ins, but you can get your household out ahead of them by putting these strategies into place before you head out.

Getting Involved in Blockwatch

Neighborhood Watch Street Sign

What is Blockwatch?

The Block Watch Program is a free community-based crime prevention program administered by your local police. A few years back our Blockwatch was a Board supervised group of residents that was headed by a committee chair. Today, our Blockwatch is part of a program erected by the Maricopa Police Department and now reports to the City Blockwatch Coordinator. Maricopa Meadows is a division of that program and the largest, most successful division in the city of Maricopa. We are also registered members of NANWO, the National Neighborhood Watch Organization, a division of the National Sheriffs Association.

Our Blockwatch members come from every background and age, and contribute to the safety of our community as Block Captains, Street Captains, or volunteers. Anyone who resides in the Meadows' development can (and should) participate! To participate or for more information, contact us at mmblockwatchprogram@gmail.com

What's the Point:

Obviously, the point is to deter would-be criminals and help prevent crimes from happening on our streets, but we do so much more that! We help educate our residents on safety related topics, we invite MPD Officers out to hold demonstrations for public safety, we help care for the community, and we contribute to building a sense of pride in our community through awareness and action.

Getting Started:

Whether you have been the victim of a crime in your neighborhood or you feel like your street is totally safe, it is always good to have a Blockwatch group. Getting started is simple. First, contact our Blockwatch Division Coordinator via email at mmblockwatchprogram@gmail.com and then determine to what extent you are willing and able to contribute your time. We have 3 main volunteer options.

1. A Block Captain: as a Block Captain you would be responsible for registering new volunteers that live within your block area. There may be more than 1 Block Captain per "block" if the block area is bigger than normal. The Block Captain can also designate Street Captains and should host at least one Blockwatch meeting per calendar year. The Block Captain communicates info from the Division Coordinator to his/her block residents and also shares info with the Division Coordinator.

2. A Street Captain: as a Street Captain you would be responsible for registering new volunteers that live only on your street. The Street Captain should hold at least one Blockwatch meeting for his/her street per year. You would share info with your Block Captain and pass along info to the other residents on your street.

3. A Volunteer: as a Blockwatch Volunteer you would engage your neighbors about Blockwatch, help out at our community events, and volunteer as needed for street teams, administrative duties, graffiti clean-up crews, etc.

As if that wasn't enough incentive to participate...you will also receive a free window decal, a phone tree form to fill out, a handy handbook and that great feeling you get from doing something good!

So see you at our next meeting...