Coolidge, AZ Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a

* Dust Storm Warning for...
Maricopa County in south central Arizona...
Pinal County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 645 PM MST.

* At 550 PM MST, a wall of dust was along a line extending from near
Magma to near Blackwater to near Casa Grande, moving northwest at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Less than a quarter mile visibility with strong wind in
excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Public.

IMPACT...Dangerous life-threatening travel.

* Impacts along I-10 and Highway-347 expected.

Locations impacted include...
Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Sun Lakes, Maricopa,
Queen Creek, San Tan Village Mall, San Tan Valley, Seville, Bapchule,
Olberg, Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, and San Tan Mountain Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dust storms lead to dangerous driving conditions with visibility
reduced to near zero. If driving, avoid dust storms if possible. If
caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your
foot off the brake.

Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. PULL ASIDE STAY ALIVE!

&&

...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED ACROSS GILA...MARICOPA AND
PINAL COUNTIES...

At 416 PM MST, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Punkin Center to near Four Peaks to
near Superior. Movement was northeast at 10 mph.

Conditions are becoming more favorable for the continued development
of additional thunderstorms. Some storms may become strong to severe.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible.

Locations impacted include...
Apache Junction, Florence, Coolidge, Globe, Superior, Hayden,
Sycamore Creek, Roosevelt, Sunflower, Christmas, Gold Canyon,
Sugarloaf Mountain, Ballantine Trailhead, Round Valley, Queen Creek,
San Carlos, Miami, Gold Camp, San Tan Valley, and Sawmill.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

...PM-10 HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY FOR PINAL COUNTY TODAY...

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has issued a
PM-10 High Pollution Advisory for Pinal County TODAY.

An episode of strong and gusty winds is forecast to generate
widespread blowing dust that may result in local PM-10 concentrations
that pose a health risk. Adverse health effects increase as air
quality deteriorates.

Coarse particulate matter - also known as PM-10 - is an air
contaminant that can aggravate heart and lung disease conditions,
especially in older adults, children, and those with asthma. A
decrease in physical activity is recommended.

Consolidate your travel, stabilize loose soils, slow down or avoid
travel on dirt roads, reduce or eliminate fireplace use, and avoid
using gas-powered lawn equipment.

For details on this High Pollution Advisory, visit the ADEQ internet
site at www.azdeq.gov/forecast/WestPinal or call 602-771-2300.

...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM
MST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust
possible.

* WHERE...Northwest Pinal County and West Pinal County.

* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 7 PM MST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay
indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in
visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing
sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far
as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the
way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside,
Stay Alive'.

&&