Storm prep that actually matters in Phoenix

You do not need to prepare for a Phoenix storm like a hurricane.

Monsoon season officially ends September 30, but this week’s rain was a good reminder that the weather does not suddenly shut off with the calendar.

Most of our storms roll through pretty quickly. The problems that stick around are usually smaller and more annoying: water leaking through a roof, a tree landing where it should not, or an umbrella ending up in somebody else's yard.

Here are five things worth checking before the next round of rain and wind:

A lot of Phoenix homes have flat or low-slope roofs that depend on drains and scuppers to move water off quickly.

If those are packed with leaves, dirt or debris, a hard downpour can leave water sitting where you absolutely do not want it.

Phoenix’s monsoon-prep guidance specifically tells homeowners to clear roof drains and scuppers.

This is one of those chores that feels like it belongs on Dirty Jobs right up until five minutes of cleanup saves you from seeing water drip through the ceiling.

A dense tree canopy catches wind like a sail. If a tree is overloaded with growth, full of dead branches or hanging over a roof, car or power line, deal with it before the storm gets the first shot.

That does not mean butchering half the tree the afternoon before rain. Remove obvious dead or damaged branches, keep the canopy from becoming a giant wall of leaves, and call a qualified tree professional when the work is high, heavy or close to something expensive.

High winds caught a large tree at my brother-in-law's house and pushed it into the garage roof. The trunk split at a major fork.

Trees are great. Trees on the garage are considerably less charming.

Patio umbrellas. Lightweight furniture. Empty planters. Toys. Trampolines.

Before the storm, give the yard a 60-second scan and ask one useful question:

If the answer is no, secure it or bring it inside.

An umbrella that clears your wall can become your neighbor's problem. A trampoline or large branch can do much worse, including damaging electrical equipment and turning one loose item into a problem for the whole block.

Some older Phoenix neighborhoods have yards, driveways or irrigation layouts that intentionally hold water. Most of the time that’s fine. During a heavy storm, the same low spot can start sending water toward a garage, doorway or house.

If you already know your property has that problem, do not stand and watch those puddles grow.

Phoenix only opens its free sand locations around major storm forecasts, while supplies last, and residents still need to bring their own bags and shovel. The city now also recommends reusable flood barriers as an easier option for some homes.

Whatever you use, buy it, store it and know where it goes before you actually need it. Filling sandbags in the rain is a terrible time to learn how much wet sand weighs.

Flash flooding is one of the few parts of a Phoenix storm that can get dangerous very quickly.

If a road or wash is flooded, turn around. You cannot reliably judge the depth, the current or whether the pavement underneath is still intact.

And, yes, we have the Stupid Motorist Law. If you drive onto a flooded public road that has been barricaded, get stuck and require an emergency response, you can be held responsible for the rescue costs.

So if the barricade is up, do not try to prove your sedan has hidden nautical abilities.

The Chevy Ferry Boat is not a thing.

Check the roof. Thin the trees. Secure the yard. Have flood protection ready if your house needs it. And, do not pretend your Tesla has a snorkel.

With El Niño strengthening, Phoenix could experience a very wet winter.

So, do the boring stuff now. Then when the clouds finally roll in, go enjoy the rain, Around Shea.