YUMA, AZ - Friday's storm was the first of the monsoon season but not necessarily the last and the Yuma Fire Department wants to remind the public to take time and be prepared.
Slippery conditions are the result of a powerful rain storm and drivers can find themselves facing traffic and street lights being out, blinding rain and poor visibility.
Charlie Smith from the Yuma Fire Department says, "When a storm like that comes in if you don't have to be somewhere then just stay off the road." Smith says if the public can avoid going out during hazardous weather conditions it reduces the number of accidents. He says it also alleviates road congestion while they are out responding to emergency calls.
We can't predict where we'll be at the time a storm decides to hit, but if you are on the road Yuma Fire says their measures you should take to ensure your safety."Smith says "When everybody gets to a traffic signal that's not functioning or flashing, treat it like a four way stop sign. Everybody comes to a stop look both ways and pursue on from there."
Downed power lines are also a risky situation due to weather and should never be touched by anyone. Plus, with triple digit weather it's also important to prepare your vehicle. He says "Windshield wipers get old. They sit in the sun for 11 months of the year and all of the sudden we get the rain. I noticed my own get glued to the windows. So, it's nice time to change that stuff out and to be thinking that so it's the season to be certainly be thinking about that."
Yuma Fire also says it's a good idea to have an emergency bag on hand with items such as flashlights, batteries food and water.
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