Arizona Emergency Information Network

Updated Maps Show Flood Risks Have Changed

On September 21, 2022, Coconino County announced that updated digital flood hazard maps for the portion of Oak Creek Canyon in Coconino County would become effective March 21, 2023. The flood maps are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). They show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Coconino County’s portion of Oak Creek Canyon are at risk for flooding. These flood maps are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. They replace maps that were based on studies more than 30 years old. Note that the flood maps for the portion of Oak Creek Canyon in Yavapai County are still being finalized.

Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information about their current flood risk on a property-by-property basis. The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data. This helps community planners, engineers, builders, and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built. Information about the mapping project and how to view the final maps can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/FEMAFloodplainRemapping. A virtual online Flood Risk Open House meeting is also being held.

“Flooding is an increasingly frequent and costly problem throughout this part of Arizona. It is not just in high-risk areas,” said Lucinda Andreani, Deputy County Manager and Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator. “Having more accurate and easily accessible maps is an important step in understanding the risk. This helps guide residents in taking steps to mitigate the risk and insure against it.”

The maps were developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with Coconino County, Yavapai County, and Sedona. The process included an extensive, multi-year review of the changes brought about by environmental, land use, and other forces. It used state-of-the-art aerial mapping and risk modeling techniques, new scientific data and a comprehensive pre-release review.

In reviewing the maps, some property owners in Oak Creek Canyon will find that their risk is higher or lower than they thought. If the risk level for a property changes, then requirements for flood insurance and building standards can change as well. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a cost-saving rating option to help reduce the cost of flood insurance. This applies to property owners whose properties’ flood risk has gone from moderate-low risk to high-risk (e.g., flood Zone X to Zone A).

An online virtual flood risk open house has been scheduled. This allows Oak Creek Canyon residents and business owners in Coconino County and Sedona to hear how to view the new maps. They will learn how properties may be affected. Steps will be shared that they can take to protect their investment:

Oak Creek Canyon (Coconino County) Virtual Flood Risk Open House
March 1, 2023
6:30-7:30 pm
For online sign-in details, visit:
www.coconino.az.gov/FEMAFloodplainRemapping   

More information about the open house is available at the project website: www.coconino.az.gov/FEMAFloodplainRemapping. For those unable to attend, a live stream recording will be made and posted on this website. Individuals with general questions about the local map update efforts can also call the Flood Control District at 928-679-8300 during business hours or email [email protected]. For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov.

 

 

Forest Visitors Asked to Stay Off Senator Hwy 

The Prescott National Forest reminds visitors that the Forest does not remove snow or plow roads during winter months. Recent storms produced significant accumulation across Yavapai County, catching travelers off guard. This resulted in vehicles becoming stuck, being stranded, or sliding off the road. Considering these events, the Forest Service urges travelers to exercise caution when traveling on Forest Service Roads (FSR) during times when snow and inclement weather are possible. 

Continued winter weather conditions have made many roads across the forest impassable. Snow has made sections of the Senator Hwy (FSR-52) impassable. We ask forest visitors to stay off Senator Hwy (FSR-52) from the Mayer/Goodwin Junction on County Road 177 north to Poland Junction Road (FSR 261).  We recommend that visitors traveling to Crown King use County Road 178. 

Please keep in mind that many areas of the forest have little to no cell coverage for emergency calls. We encourage visitors to be prepared and check local and extended weather forecasts before traveling. 

Snow removal and plowing are not performed during winter months. Plowing snow on native or aggregate surfaced roads can result in damage due to increased traffic on wet roads. Plowing can encourage travel during unsafe road conditions resulting in costly damage from the inevitable ruts left behind. As the snow melts and warmer weather arrives, roads will become wet, muddy, and dangerous. To avoid damage to vehicles and road systems, the Forest encourages visitors to use caution and whenever possible not drive native or aggregate surfaced roads during snow melt and runoff. 

 For more information, please contact the Bradshaw/Chino Ranger District at 928-443-8000.

 Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

The Pima County Health Department working with the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center have released the following guidance for any person who believes they may have been exposed to the toxic fumes associated with a hazardous materials spill on Interstate 10 Feb. 14. 

The hazmat incident is ongoing as state and local emergency response agencies work to clean up the spill and remediate the accident scene. 

The spill was nitric acid. Concentrated nitric acid is also called fuming red nitric acid and releases a gas, nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is a slightly irritant gas that with prolonged exposure especially in a confined space with the source of nitrogen dioxide, can cause delayed lung complications up to 24 hours after exposure. 

Pima County Health Department and Poison Control are recommending that individuals who may have been in contact with the gas for more than 15 minutes assess themselves for exposure risk.

If an individual has met that 15 minute or more exposure within a mile of the incident and developed respiratory difficulties or new symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath; difficulty breathing, exacerbations of COPD or asthma) they should seek medical evaluation. It is possible that individuals who lived within a mile of the exposure and sheltered in place but were using air exchange that pulled air from the outside may have met this threshold. 

People who drove through or past the accident and chemical plume should not have met this threshold. 

If exposed, people may have delayed onset of symptoms, up to 12-24 hours later.  

Any respiratory difficulties or symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath) should be evaluated by your doctor, or at an urgent care center or emergency room. 

Go to www.pima.gov/acidspill for more information about how to determine if you have symptoms related to this incident. 

For up to date information about the accident and its status overall, go to the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Information Page, https://www.azdps.gov/news/ims/92

Consider delaying travel, slow down if driving in winter conditions

As Arizona’s high country prepares for snow this week, drivers should focus on safe driving – including slowing down, if they are traveling on highways where winter weather is creating potentially hazardous conditions.

That’s the safety message from the Arizona Department of Transportation as storms are expected to create snow packed and icy conditions on a number of highways. Drivers should avoid traveling in winter weather and consider delaying trips until after storms have passed and conditions have improved.

Drivers in lower-elevation locations should plan for possible rain and wet roadways and be prepared to slow down and leave more following distance behind other vehicles.

Safer conditions will exist in upper elevation areas once ADOT’s team of snowplow operators has time to clear snow and ice from highways. Here are additional winter and wet weather safety recommendations:

Stay up to date on weather and highway conditions: In addition to following National Weather Service forecasts (weather.gov/fgz/WinterWeather), drivers can visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511 for highway conditions.

Leave prepared: Dress for cold weather if traveling into the high country. Bring extra clothes and gloves as part of an emergency prep kit in case you need to stop along a highway. Be sure your cellphone is charged and pack extra drinking water, food and prescription medications (in case you encounter delays).

Other items for an emergency kit: Blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, small shovel, container with sand or kitty litter for tire traction if your vehicle is stuck in icy conditions. ADOT has a complete list of items at azdot.gov/KnowSnow (look for “Must haves for every vehicle”).

Tire Chains: Drivers also should anticipate that, depending on the severity of winter storm conditions, chains and/or four-wheel drive vehicle capability are likely to be recommended on some highways impacted by snow or ice.

ADOT and law enforcement agencies again remind travelers not to stop next to highways, including I-17, US 180, SR 87, SR 260, to play in the snow. Doing so is unsafe. People should instead go to established snow play areas. Parking along highway shoulders for snow play is not allowed, since that can block areas that emergency response vehicles may need to use.  

Drivers also can look for messages on ADOT’s statewide network of electronic signs. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions.

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