Flooding briefly closed highway on Friday
Sedona AZ (July 5, 2014) – UPDATE – State Route 89A has reopened in Oak Creek Canyon near the Slide wildfire burn area, following a brief closure Friday because of flooding, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
SR 89A was closed between Sedona and Flagstaff, mileposts 375-390, for approximately two-and-a-half hours. No damage was immediately reported to the roadway.
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ADOT recommends motorists take Interstate 17, State Route 179 to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff
Sedona AZ (July 4, 2014) – A section of State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon near the Slide wildfire burn area has been closed because of flooding, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
SR 89A is closed between Sedona and Flagstaff, mileposts 375-390. Motorists wishing to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff should consider State Route 179 and Interstate 17 as an alternative.
There is no estimate on when the highway will reopen and drivers are advised to expect delays. ADOT encourages drivers to use caution and watch for flooding and debris on highways adjacent to burned areas. Motorists should never drive past a barricade on a closed section of highway.
ADOT urges drivers to be prepared for summer storms and potentially hazardous driving conditions by following these Monsoon safety driving tips:
- When in doubt, wait it out! If you see a dust storm ahead, it’s best to exit and wait for the dust to move through the area.
- When faced with low or zero visibility conditions, pull your vehicle off the road as far to the right as possible. Turn off your lights, set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake pedal. These steps reduce the chances that other drivers mistake your vehicle as the one to follow.
- Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Water is a powerful force that should not be underestimated.
- Do not drive around ‘Road Closed’ signs. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s stupid motorist law.
- If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.
- Expect the unexpected. Have extra supplies, including an emergency kit and drinking water, in case you experience an extended highway closure.
- Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall prone areas.
For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 5-1-1.