Arizona's monsoon is right around the corner. It starts June 15 and goes through September.
There are some precautions and steps you can take to keep your family safe in case of a summer storm emergency.
The American Red Cross of Arizona recommends having a bag in your home ready to go in case you need to evacuate due to flooding. They also recommend having an evacuation plan with your family and practicing it ahead of time.
If the power lines are down, they want to remind residents not to step in puddles or standing water. If you don't need to evacuate but the power is out, use a flashlight, and never an open flame.
Another reminder: pick a safe spot in your home where there aren't any windows or glass doors that can be broken by strong wind or hail, causing someone to get hurt.
"Definitely do not drive through a flooded area, If you've noticed, you've seen there are a lot of rescues of people getting trapped in their cars. Please just turn around, don't drown," Jim Gilloon, Regional Communication and Marketing Manager for the American Red Cross said.
The Red Cross has an app that gives real-time information about storms and shelter locations. It also has a feature that allows you to send an alert to your friends and family so they know you're safe.
