Storm warning issued

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

FORT DEFIANCE — Coconino County and Flagstaff residents are being encouraged to prepare for a major winter storm this weekend.

Residents also are asked to help their neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.
Some lakes and dams are near capacity and with saturated soil conditions, residents could seeflooding in some areas.

Officials recommend that residents monitor weather information throughout the weekend, and stay tuned to local media. For more storm information and updates, log on to the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/Flagstaff, or listen to weather updates on battery-powered weather service radios.

Public safety officials will monitor local conditions and are prepared to respond to changing weather conditions. If flooding should occur, sandbags and sand will be available to the public in select areas.

This is the third significant storm to affect Northern Arizona with heavy precipitation since the last week of December, according to the National Weather Service. In anticipation of this weekend's event, the weather service has issued a flash flood watch for much of Northern Arizona.

A strong storm system moved through Northern Arizona Feb. 14, drawing moist subtropical air from the Pacific to give Northern Arizona widespread moderate to heavy rains. Between 2 and 3 inches of rainfall were common in many locations.

The National Weather Service is forecasting rain, snow, or a combination of both through next Thursday for Fort Defiance, St. Michael's and vicinity. Rain is expected at Keams Canyon through Saturday, changing over to snow on Sunday and continuing through Thursday.

All the way to Page, the forecast is soggy, with a 60 percent chance of rain through Saturday, then dropping off to a 40 percent chance each day through Thursday, except Sunday night when the chance of rain drops to 30 percent.

Coconino County residents should be prepared to "shelter-in-place," or remain at their residence without outside assistance for at least 72 hours. It is recommended that residents have the following supplies on hand:

Extra medications (for people and animals), a three-day supply of drinking water (one gallon per person per day), food that won't spoil, one change of clothing and footwear per person, one blanket or sleeping bag per person, first-aid kit, battery-powered radio; flashlight (and plenty of extra batteries), extra set of car keys, credit card, cash or traveler's checks, sanitation supplies, special items for infants, elderly, and disabled family members; and provisions/accommodations for livestock and pets.