Emergency Management

One of the key components of a prepared and resilient community is personal preparedness. Personal preparedness includes being ready for emergencies at home, at work, or anywhere you may spend time. Being prepared can help to reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that occur during an emergency or disaster. There are three simple steps to take to increase your personal preparedness:

1. Build a Kit
2. Make a Plan
3. Be Informed

For information on hazards that we face in our community, please see the "Additional Information" section below.

Mitigation activities are designed to reduce or eliminate the effects of a disaster on a community and are often initiated long before a disaster strikes, with the primary goal of reducing the loss of life and property. Sometimes, though, mitigation activities are not identified until after a disaster occurs. Examples of mitigation activities include the reduction of hazardous fuels, floodplain protection, and public outreach programs.

The City of Glendale is a participant in the Maricopa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Access the plan on the Maricopa County Hazard Mitigation page.

Emergency Management assists with the coordination of emergency responders and critical resources to save lives and protect property and the environment during a large-scale emergency or disaster. These activities are coordinated through the City of Glendale Emergency Operations Center.

Recovery activities are initiated as soon as life safety concerns have been addressed. Recovery is the process of rebuilding a community, bringing critical systems back online, and providing support resources to address continued needs of individuals and families impacted by the incident.

View current alerts on the City of Glendale Community Alerts page.

One of the first steps you can take to become more prepared as an individual is to sign up for community alerts through the City of Glendale Community Alert Program. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile, or business phones, email address, text messages, and more. To sign up for community alerts, visit the Glendale Community Alert Sign-Up page.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are also used when there is an imminent threat to life or safety. These messages can only be sent by authorized public alerting authorities. The City partners with the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management to send these types of alerts. For more information on Wireless Emergency Alerts, visit the Maricopa County Wireless Emergency Alerts page.

Monitor the Weather

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees the National Weather Service (NWS). Both agencies help community decision-makers and residents understand the risks of severe weather, monitor threatening situations, and take action when necessary.

• For general weather information: National Weather Service website
• The NWS Phoenix Office website will show local warnings for flood forecasts and all types of significant weather
• Consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio. Forecasts and alerts are broadcast during emergencies.

Do you know the difference between a Flood Advisory, Flood Watch or a Flood Warning? According to the National Weather Service:

• Flood Advisory = Be Aware
• Flood Watch = Be Prepared
• Flood Warning = Take Action

For additional information refer to Flood Warning vs. Flood Watch.

The Maricopa County Flood Control District has a wealth of information available on their website including gauges that provide a real-time overview of how much rain has fallen during storms. These real-time gauges are very useful to see where the most rain has fallen and where the potential for flooding is in the valley. Real Time Gauges (Best for desktops)

• Real-Time Gauges (Best for desktops)
• Real-Time Gauges (Best for mobile)

Resources

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides several handouts on floodplain-related activities—from building and rebuilding in a floodplain to preparing for a storm. Listed below are just a few of the brochures that are available:

• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program); although the FloodSmart website is the best place to start.
• Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards: This technical publication helps individuals installing manufactured homes understand how to keep them safe from flooding. It includes technical specifications for different installation methods.
• Protecting Building Utility Systems from Flood Damage: This technical document illustrates the design and construction of utility systems that comply with NFIP requirements for new residential and non-residential structures in flood-prone areas.
• Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Developed for homeowners who want to protect their homes from flooding. It is designed for readers with little or no experience in flood protection methods or building construction techniques.

For information on how to prepare for a flood, what to do during a flood, and steps to take after a flood, refer to the Ready.gov Floods page. This website provides comprehensive flood information, including risks from rain, dam overflows, and flash floods. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a flood can help you better protect your property.

To learn more about other hazards in your community, visit the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management website and review the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

For general information on hazards and emergency preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.

When is monsoon season?

Officially, the monsoon season starts on June 15th and ends on September 30th. The storms often develop in the late afternoon and early evening.

What is a monsoon?

If you’re in the Valley between the months of June and September, you’re pretty much guaranteed to experience the powerful winds, towering clouds and awesome lightning and thunder of an Arizona monsoon storm.

According to the National Weather Service, the word monsoon itself comes from the Arabic word “mausim,” which translates to season. Early sailors in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea used the word to describe the powerful winds that switched directions during the summer months.

In Arizona, the dry, warm months of May and June are followed by greater moisture beginning as early as June 15 and often lasting through the middle of September. This moisture tends to build throughout each day and settle into the Valley with heavy winds, bursts of rain and lightning. Our dry lands aren’t prepared for the heavy water flow that comes from the storms, so Valley washes and streets are often flooded—and flooded fast!

Arizona’s Monsoon season brings with it the daily potential for high winds, lightning, hail and heavy bursts of rain, and these potential hazards can be life threatening if proper care is not taken.

What to Look for

• Keep your eye on the sky. Darkening skies, flashes of light and increasing wind are all signs of a storm on the way. If you hear thunder, it’s best to head to a safe area.
• Heavy rain can cause problems. If it has been raining hard for several hours, be alert to the possibility of a flood. Try to avoid driving during a storm.
• Thunder means a storm is near. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• Watch your forecasts. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or local news for the latest weather forecasts.

The City of Glendale frequently exceeds temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, but is fortunate enough to have relatively low humidity. Extreme Heat can cause serious or even fatal medical conditions. Common hazards associated with extreme heat include heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The National Weather Service is using Heat Risk as a determining factor for watches and warnings. Heat Risk considers factors such as location, time of year, and duration to assess Heat Risk.

Before

• Visit the National Weather Service website for more information on heat..
• Visit Maricopa County’s extreme heat page to learn signs of heat illness and what to do.
• View an interactive map of hydration and cooling stations.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Cover windows that receive direct sun with drapes, sun screens, or awnings.

During

• Wear as little clothing as possible.
• Take cool baths or showers but avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Check on family and friends who are at high risk for heat-related illness.
• Bring pets indoors. Make sure they have plenty of water.
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power during periods of extreme heat.
• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Drink lots of water, even if you aren't thirsty. Always have water with you. Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Limit sun exposure and apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to going outside.
• Try to work during early morning hours and take frequent breaks.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Recognize symptoms of heat illness. Seek help immediately.
• NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Look before you lock!

More Information on Extreme Heat

• National Weather Service Heat Safety

Federal

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
• Ready.gov

State

• Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (AZ DEMA)
• Arizona Emergency Information Network (AZ EIN)
• Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS)
• Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
• Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS)

County

• Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management (MCDEM)
• Maricopa Association of Governments (AZ MAG)
• Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH)