Yuma County Office of Emergency Management

11/10/2026

🚧 GILA RIVER UPDATE | NOVEMBER 10, 2026 🚧

Planned releases from Painted Rock Reservoir are expected to increase water flows along the Gila River in Yuma County over the coming weeks. Residents and travelers should prepare for possible road closures and changes at river crossings.

According to the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District (WMIDD), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ announced release schedule is:

🔹 Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 a.m.: 250 cubic feet per second (CFS).
🔹 Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.: Increase to 500 CFS through Thursday morning.
🔹 Thursday, Nov. 12: Increase to 3,000 CFS throughout the day, continuing until the reservoir is emptied.

Reported estimates for water to reach downstream locations are:
📍 Dateland: Approximately 14–15 days.
📍 Avenue 57E: Approximately 18–19 days.
📍 Dome: Approximately 21–23 days.

These estimates may change as conditions develop.

WMIDD will coordinate with Yuma County Public Works on removing 13 road crossings along the Gila River to accommodate the anticipated flows. Some dirt roads and river crossings may be temporarily closed or become impassable.

⚠️ PLEASE KEEP THESE SAFETY TIPS IN MIND:

• Obey all posted signs, barricades, and road closures—even when a crossing appears dry.
• Never move barricades or drive around a closure.
• Never drive or walk through a flooded crossing. Water can conceal damaged or missing roadway.
• Plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time.
• Keep children and pets away from flowing water and riverbanks.
• Follow official updates from Yuma County Emergency Management, Yuma County Public Works, and WMIDD.

Your cooperation helps protect residents, road crews, and first responders. Please share this information with anyone who uses Gila River crossings.

🚗 Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

10/30/2026

🎃🌧️ YUMA COUNTY: HALLOWEEN WEEKEND WEATHER

Keep the forecast in mind as you plan your Halloween activities!

According to the National Weather Service Phoenix’s October 29 briefing, rain chances increase Saturday evening, October 31, through Sunday night, November 1.

🌧️ The Yuma area could receive approximately 0.20–0.50 inch of rain, with amounts varying across the county. Heavier rainfall could cause localized flooding, especially in washes, low-lying areas, and flood-prone roads.

Friday’s heavier rain and thunderstorm threat is mainly across central and eastern Arizona. If you’re traveling, check conditions along your route.

Help keep your Halloween weekend safe:

🚗 TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN! Never drive through flooded roads or around barricades.

🌊 Keep children and pets away from flowing washes, drainage channels, and floodwater.

🎃 Check the forecast before heading out, carry flashlights, and have an indoor backup plan. Drivers: slow down and watch carefully for trick-or-treaters.

⛈️ If you hear thunder, move inside a sturdy building or an enclosed vehicle.

📱 Follow forecast updates and any watches or warnings at weather.gov/phoenix⁠.

Enjoy the weekend, stay informed, and make safety part of your Halloween plans!

A series of Bering Sea storms will impact western Alaska this week, with elevated water levels, isolated coastal flooding, high surf, erosion, and strong winds. Heavy rain and snow are also expected for the West Coast into Interior Alaska. A multi-day flash flooding threat is forecast across parts o...

10/23/2026

🚨 FREE CERT Training in Yuma County!
Learn practical skills to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors when emergencies happen.
Join the Yuma County Office of Emergency Management for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, including:
✅ Disaster preparedness
✅ Basic disaster medical skills
✅ Fire safety
✅ Light search and rescue
📅 December 1–3, 2026 — Tuesday through Thursday
⏰ 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
📍 Yuma County Public Works Training Room
4343 S. Avenue 5 ½ E, Yuma, AZ 85365

The course includes 22 instructional hours, with meal and rest breaks throughout each day. Attendance is required all three days.

👉 Register for FREE: Complete the CERT application
Questions? Contact Miguel Moreno at 928-817-8494, [email protected] or James Welch at 928-817-8492, [email protected].

Share this post with someone who wants to build their emergency skills and help our community!

10/20/2026

🌧️ YUMA COUNTY: PREPARE NOW FOR WINTER STORMS

With El Niño conditions strengthening, FEMA Region 9 is encouraging households to prepare for possible heavy rain, flooding and other winter storm impacts. Conditions will vary by location, so stay informed and take steps now to protect your household.

Yuma County Emergency Management encourages residents to:

🚗 Make an evacuation plan. Know where you would go, how you would get there and how family members would reconnect if separated. Include pets and anyone who may need extra help.

🎒 Prepare a go-bag. Pack medications, chargers, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio and essential supplies. Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

📱 Stay informed. Follow National Weather Service forecasts and local officials, and download the free FEMA App for weather alerts and preparedness information.

🚧 Never drive or walk through floodwater. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Start small: review your plan, check your supplies and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do.

Learn more:
🔗 https://www.ready.gov/floods⁠
🔗 https://www.floodsmart.gov⁠

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

10/15/2026

🌬️ WIND ADVISORY — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 🌬️

Yuma County Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare for strong winds and blowing dust Friday.

🕔 WHEN: 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST
📍 WHERE: Portions of Yuma County, including Yuma, Fortuna Foothills, Kofa, and the Gila River Valley.
💨 WINDS: From the east at 20–30 mph, with gusts reaching 45–50 mph.

Blowing dust and sand could briefly reduce visibility to less than one mile. Airborne dust may also worsen air quality. Strong crosswinds can make driving difficult, especially for trucks, RVs, and vehicles towing trailers.

✅ Secure patio furniture, trash cans, decorations, and other loose outdoor items.
✅ Use extra caution while driving and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.
✅ Avoid driving into blowing dust.
✅ Limit outdoor exposure if dusty conditions develop, especially if you have a respiratory condition.

Stay informed and monitor updates from the National Weather Service Phoenix: weather.gov/psr⁠

Heavy to excessive rainfall will continue today from the Texas Big Bend region into southern Oklahoma. Locally considerable flash and urban flooding is possible, and river flooding will continue in central Oklahoma. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Mid-Atlantic Friday. A T...

10/14/2026

🚨 Strengthening Emergency Preparedness Through Statewide Collaboration 🚨

Today, October 14, 2026, Yuma County Emergency Management participated in the Arizona Statewide Functional Exercise, coordinated by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA).

This exercise focused on strengthening emergency response capabilities during a simulated cybersecurity and homeland defense threat.

The exercise provided an opportunity to practice and evaluate critical emergency management functions, including:

✅ Interagency Coordination – Strengthening communication and cooperation among local, tribal, state, and federal partners.

✅ Resource Management – Practicing resource requests, mutual aid coordination, and state support procedures.

✅ Emergency Communications – Enhancing information sharing and situational awareness during a complex incident.

✅ Homeland Security Preparedness – Evaluating our ability to coordinate an effective response to threats that could impact our communities.

Yuma County Emergency Management would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all participating agencies, organizations, and partners for their time, dedication, and commitment to emergency preparedness. Your collaboration and willingness to participate in exercises like this help strengthen our collective ability to protect and serve the residents of Yuma County.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and working together makes our communities stronger and more resilient.

10/10/2026

These are the current photos from the MyRadar app. Yuma County residents we are still on the outer edge of the projected pathway of Hurricane Rachel. Later today and throughout the night we will have high winds and rain. It is suggested you check and secure gates to prevent animals from getting out, store away or secure patio furniture, trampolines, sheds and anything else the winds might blow around. If you are traveling please check for travel advisories (AZ511 and CA511). Updated weather advisories can be found on the NWS page. In addition there are informational links below from the NWS on high winds and ready.gov regarding storm safety.

https://www.weather.gov/psr/

https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind

https://www.ready.gov/

https://www.az511.com/

https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/traveler-information/511

10/08/2026

🌧️ WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE: YUMA COUNTY 🌬️

Rain, possible flash flooding, and strong winds could impact Yuma County this weekend, with the bulk of rainfall expected late Saturday night into Sunday, October 11.

🌧️ RAINFALL: Forecast totals currently range from 0.25–1 inch, with localized amounts of 1–2 inches or more possible in thunderstorms. Where the heaviest rain falls remains very uncertain and will depend on where thunderstorms develop and track.

⚠️ Not everyone will see heavy rain. Many areas could receive less than one-tenth of an inch.

🚧 FLASH FLOODING: The Weather Prediction Center has placed the area under a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall on Sunday. Isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding are possible. Never drive through flooded roads or washes—Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

🌬️ STRONG WINDS: Widespread gusts of 40–50 mph are possible, creating difficult driving conditions and crosswind concerns along I-8. Secure loose outdoor items and use extra caution while traveling.

🛍️ FREE SELF-SERVE SANDBAG STATION

The City of Yuma is offering sand and empty bags while supplies last:

📍 Yuma Civic Center parking lot
1440 W. Desert Hills Drive
📅 Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10
🕗 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Limit: 5 sandbags per vehicle
• Bring your own shovel; on-site shovels are limited.
• Residents must fill their own bags.

For sandbag information, contact City of Yuma Public Works at 928-373-4500.

Take time now to review your household emergency plan, prepare your property, and monitor updated forecasts as the weekend approaches.

10/06/2026

🌡️ YUMA COUNTY WEATHER UPDATE — OCTOBER 6

An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect for the Yuma area Wednesday, October 7, through Friday, October 9. Major HeatRisk is expected, increasing the risk of heat-related illness, especially during extended outdoor activity or without adequate cooling and hydration.

☀️ Forecast highs in Yuma:

• Wednesday: 105°F
• Thursday: 106°F
• Friday: 105°F

Take steps now to protect yourself and others:

💧 Drink water regularly—don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
🏠 Take frequent breaks in air conditioning or shade. Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
👕 Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
🤝 Check on older adults, neighbors, and anyone without reliable air conditioning.
🐾 Provide pets with shade and fresh water. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

🌦️ Cooler weather is expected this weekend, with Yuma highs near 99°F Saturday and 92°F Sunday. Rain chances return Sunday and Monday, but rainfall amounts remain uncertain.

09/30/2026

Southwest Gas Responders Liaison meeting. Full house attendance with First Responders, Emergency Management staff, school personnel, and others. SW Gas giving presentations on the properties of Natural Gas, their facilities, infrastructure, emergency response, distribution main lines and residential service maintenance, community awareness and a tabletop exercise involving Natural gas incident and a coordinated response.