Tucson Monsoon Season Is Here — Sandbags And Barricades Already Going Up

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson's monsoon season officially began Sunday, and the city is already preparing for what's ahead, including storms expected to move through as soon as Wednesday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon, with highs near 104 and gusts up to 23 mph. Wednesday night brings a 30 percent chance of storms before 11 p.m. before skies gradually clear overnight.

With storms already moving through the area before the season's official June 15 recordkeeping start date, the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility has launched its annual Operation Splash campaign.

The program aims to keep residents safe on city streets during monsoon flooding events.

Crews from the Streets Maintenance Division have delivered barricades to hundreds of dip crossings throughout the city, positioning them at flood-prone locations ahead of additional storms.

Starting Wednesday, June 17, the city will also offer free self-serve sandbags at Hi Corbett Field, 700 S. Randolph Way, in Reid Park.

Residents can pick them up in the east parking lot. The city has not announced pickup hours or limits on the number of sandbags available.

Tucson's dip crossings are low-water crossings that can flood quickly during heavy rain. They are among the most dangerous spots on city streets during monsoon storms. The barricades are designed to warn drivers before conditions become hazardous.

The city's message heading into the season is straightforward: prepare now, before the next storm hits.