What has the County learned from recent monsoon floods? - CBS 5 - KPHO

What has the County learned from recent monsoon floods?

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PHOENIX (CBS5) -

Unfortunately, some of us have had too much of a good thing when it comes to rain. Maricopa County officials said this monsoon season has been an unprecedented learning experience for them, especially following the Anthem flood on July 31.

"What we've learned was that occurrence was a once in a thousand year occurrence," said County Communications Director Cari Gerchick.

And because of that, it's difficult to make immediate county-wide assessments or changes based on a flood of that magnitude.

"It's not something that government can plan for, it's something that was just unprecedented," Gerchick said.

The County added that it's a little too soon to tell what kind of long-term change this years' floods will have on future planning, but the data is constantly being evaluated. But being that Anthem was a once-in-a-thousand-year flood, there's not much "planning" that can be done.

"We plan for, at most, a once-in-a-hundred year flood. People are not going to pay for the protections required for a thousand-year flood," Gerchick said.

If you experience monsoon flooding and would like to know if the county is responsible for clean-up, you can email your street address to them directly at media@mail.maricopa.gov

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