Flash flood watch is issued for the weekend


Published/Last Modified on Saturday, July 26, 2008 3:06 PM MDT


Cochise County is under a flash flood watch through Sunday as the remnants of Hurricane Dolly move into the area.


The watch went into effect at 11 p.m. MST on Friday and will last through Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The area got its first taste of the Dolly-fed monsoon on Friday afternoon when thunderstorms came into the area and brought heavy rain into southwest and west central Cochise County.

The rainfall flooded the intersection of Moson and Ramsey roads, as well as Campobello Avenue, in the Hereford area, said Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

In other areas, the rainfall was minimal. At Libby Army Airfield on Fort Huachuca, 0.07 of an inch was measured between 11:55 a.m. and 4:55 p.m. At the Bisbee Douglas International Airport, only a trace of rain fell during that same time period.

More rain was forecast for Friday night, and heavy rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, the weather service said.

“Much of Southeast Arizona is expected to receive amounts between a half of an inch to 1 1/2 inches, with localized amounts of 2 to 5 inches by Sunday evening,” the weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook on Friday evening.

That is what is expected to create the flash flood conditions. The watch is issued when “conditions are favorable for widespread flash flooding to develop, but has not yet occurred,” according to the weather service.

The weather service reminded drivers not drive their vehicles into areas where the water covers the roadway.

The U.S. Forest Service also issued a warning Friday to make sure people used caution when in the Coronado National Forest, which includes areas of Cochise County. Rains have damaged some trails and roads, the agency said.

“As a safety precaution at any time of the year when visiting public lands to recreate, visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions, forecasts and warnings for their destination and surrounding areas,” the Forest Service said.

Hurricane Dolly was a Category 2 storm that hit the eastern Texas and Mexico coasts Wednesday. In eastern Hidalgo County, as much as 12 inches of rain fell in six hours, according to The Associated Press.

WHERE TO CALL

To check local conditions on Coronado National Forest property, call the following ranger district offices depending on the area you’re headed to:

• Coronado National Forest supervisor’s office: (520) 388-8300

• Sierra Vista Ranger District: 378-0311

• Douglas Ranger District: 364-6800

• Nogales Ranger District: (520) 281-2296

• Safford Ranger District: (928) 428-4150

• Santa Catalina Ranger District: (520) 749-8700

Comments

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Douglas Dispatch is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in douglasdispatch.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Douglas Dispatch. The Douglas Dispatch does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Douglas Dispatch spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
   









Contact Us

Email the Editor
530 11th Street (85607)
P.O. Drawer H
Douglas, AZ 85608
tel: 520.364.3424
fax: 520.364.6750