PHOENIX — Reporting on monsoon season in Arizona is not for the faint of heart — or, as 12News journalist Chase Golightly found out, for anyone without proper rain gear.
Golightly was in Phoenix working on an assignment when the rain started on Thursday. At first, it was just a drizzle, but photojournalist Alexis Cisneros opted to be safe rather than sorry and put rain gear on his camera, just in case.
"We could still see clear blue skies while it was coming down," Golightly said. "That quickly changed."
In about 15 minutes, the skies darkened and heavy rain began to pelt Cisneros and Golightly. Both could hear hail pelting the top of the car and Golightly said he could see the rain spreading across the street.
Like any intrepid journalist, Golightly and Cisneros weren't afraid of a little rain and set up to be live on 12News that evening.
"You could only see about 50 feet in front of you," Golightly said. "It looked to be about pea-sized hail relentlessly coming down. Roads started to turn to rivers."
While explaining the scene to 12News' Tram Mai and Troy Hayden back in the studio, Golightly found out just how much of a "river" the road had turned into when he got splashed by a car driving by.
"It felt like we were right in the middle of the chaos," Golightly said. "It was one of the most intense storms I’ve covered."
But just as quickly as it started, the storms stopped, and all that was left to show for the monsoon weather was the still flooded roads.
Thanks, Chase and Alex, for braving the storm!
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Flooding Safety:
The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority has provided the following tips on what hazards to watch out for during and after a flood, including fire, electrical and chemical safety:
Generators and alternative heating devices can create fire hazards during flooding if they aren’t used correctly or maintained properly. Pools of water and appliances can become electrically charged and can cause electrical fires.
On electricity, residents in flooded areas should turn off the power to their homes if they can reach the main breaker or fuse box. All wiring in the house may be electrically charged and hazardous. Residents should have a professional technician check their home for damages before turning on the power.
Make sure potentially combustible liquids like paint thinner, lighter fluid or gasoline haven’t spilled within or near your home. Keep combustible liquids away from electrical or alternative heat sources as to not start a fire.
All smoke alarms in the home should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced yearly. Some smoke alarms are dependent on your home’s electrical service and may go out when power is turned off.
Make sure the fire hydrant near your home is cleared of debris so the fire department can assess it easily in the event of a fire.
Arizona Weather
Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather throughout the state. Watch a compilation of videos from various thunderstorms, floods, and fires from across the Grand Canyon State on our 12News YouTube channel here.
Be sure to subscribe and see the latest in Arizona weather news and breaking weather emergencies throughout the Valley!