ADOT Preps For Storm

By Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez
Published: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 3:42pm
Updated: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 4:04pm
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(Photo courtesy of ADOT)
Pump stations like this one are used to remove storm runoff from along the Phoenix freeway system.

Cities and state agencies continue to prepare for the incoming storm expected to bring heavy rain. The Arizona Department of Transportation has been working for the past couple of days to make sure storm drains work effectively this time.

ADOT officials said there are half a dozen troubleshooting teams working throughout the Valley. Maintenance crews have been out checking the more than 50 pump stations along the Phoenix freeway system. These are stations that remove water away from highways and into storm channels and basis. ADOT spokesperson Doug Nintzel said their biggest concern for this storm is getting heavy rain in a short period of time, which can lead to flooding in low-lying areas.

“Sometimes it can be surprising how many areas we do have in the state that have the slopes or hillsides right next to the highway," Nintzel said. "And drivers need to be especially cautious when storms like this are moving through, and even in the aftermath the effects of the runoffs they can show up in the days after the rain has passed through.”

Valley cities in the meantime have sand and sandbags available for its residents.

Mesa Fire Department Locations For Sand And Sandbags:

Station 201: 360 E. 1st Street

Station 202: 830 S. Stapley Drive

Station 204: 1426 S. Extension Road

Station 205: 730 S. Greenfield Road

Station 206: 815 N. Lindsay Road

Station 207: 2505 S. Dobson Road

Station 208: (Falcon Field) 4530 E. McKellips Road

Station 209: 7035 E. Southern Avenue

Station 210: 1502 S. 24th Street

Station 211: 2130 N. Horne

Station 212: 2430 S. Ellsworth

Station 213: 7816 E. University Drive

Station 214: 5950 E. Virginia Street

Station 215: (Williams Gateway Airport) 6353 S. Downwind

Station 216: 7966 E. McDowell Road

Station 217: 10434 E. Baseline Road

Station 218: 845 N. Alma School Road

Station 219: 3361 S. Signal Butte Road

Station 220: 5763 E. Main Street

Glendale:

Sand and sandbags are available to the public for free at the following locations, but citizens must bring their own shovels.

Bonsall Park North, Northeast corner of 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, next to the Hockey Rink

City of Glendale Community Center North: 14061 N. 59th Ave.

GFD Support Services: 7501 N.55th Ave.

Chandler:

10 Sandbags per household will be available at the Chandler Fire Health & Medical Headquarters, 151 E. Boston Street.  Residents are encouraged to bring shovels to help speed the process.

Tempe:

The City of Tempe has sand and bags available at two locations.

Tempe Field Operations, 55 S. Priest Drive 

Benedict Sports Complex, 490 W. Guadalupe Road

Phoenix:

ONLY SAND is available - bring your own medium-sized, garbage bags (double bagged) and shovels.

Station 11 -  2727 E. Roosevelt St. 

Station 16 - 1414 E. Mohave St.

Station 26 - 3301 W. Rose Lane

Station 31 - 5730 E. Thunderbird Road

Station 36 - 21602 N. Ninth Ave. 

Station 39 - 2276 W. Southern Ave. 

Station 40 - 3838 N. 83rd Ave. 

Station 43 - 4110 E. Chandler Blvd. 

Station 48 - 5230 W. Happy Valley Road

Station 49 - 3750 E. Dynamite Blvd. 

Station 52 - 21650 N. Tatum Blvd.

Station 57 -1708 W. Dobbins Road.

Scottsdale:

Sandbags are available for Scottsdale residents on a first-come, first-served basis at two locations.

North Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador. There is a limit of 10 bags per household. Call 480-312-3111 during business hours to ensure sandbags are available.

District 1 Police Headquarters, southeast corner of Miller and McKellips roads. Bags are not pre-filled. Residents need to fill their own bags.