Arizona Monsoon Begins

For those who are unfamiliar with Arizona, our first Monsoon storm of the year hit this evening. There's a photo slideshow and quick news clip about today's storm here. While Melanie was gone to an enrichment activity, David and Steven watched the storm and lighting from the bay window in our kitchen. David was pretty focused and didn't say anything as the rain rolled off the tile roof.

A perhaps little unknown fact about people driving in the Monsoon in Arizona - a few years ago in Arizona they created something commonly referred to as the "stupid motorist law." The law requires any one who requires rescue for driving into washes of water to pay for the cost of the rescue (helicopers, ambulances, fire crews and/or trucks....:) We found a funny, but serious, public service announcement warning anyone who may be tempted to break this law....here it is:

As a disclaimer, in our homes growing up and in our current home, we don't use the word "stupid." In Arizona, it's what everyone refers to when someone drives into water in a wash or underpass, gets stuck, and is rescued by the fire department while having news helicopters taking pictures overhead....

The washes fill up for several hours after the storms pass. The storms come quick and leave just as quickly, tempting motorists to pass through the temporary rivers ahead of them...Each year there's inevitably a newscast with video of someone trapped in their car. It actually can be pretty serious at times.

The news tonight spent about 30 minutes on the storm, with reporters transplanted throughout the valley. Good news: The weather tomorrow is expected to be at least 10 degrees cooler than normal (so mid 90s!). We're looking forward to the rainfall - it's always a scarce resource here in the Valley of the Sun.