What is the biggest emergency risk in Phoenix?

Extreme heat, by a wide margin. Maricopa County recorded 645 heat-related deaths in 2023 — the most ever documented — far more than any storm or flood. A Phoenix emergency kit should be built around water, cooling, and surviving a power outage during a heat wave.

When is monsoon season in Phoenix?

Arizona's official monsoon season runs June 15 through September 30. It brings dust storms (haboobs), violent microburst winds, lightning, and flash flooding. The peak window for large dust storms is July through mid-September.

How much water should I store for a Phoenix emergency kit?

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day, and aim for a 7-day supply. In Phoenix, hydration is the single most important part of preparedness — heat illness sets in fast when the power and air conditioning fail during a summer outage.

What should I do if I'm driving in a Phoenix dust storm?

If a haboob drops visibility, pull completely off the roadway, stop, turn off your headlights and taillights, take your foot off the brake, and wait for it to pass — the 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive' rule. Keep an N95 mask, water, and a half-tank of fuel in the car during monsoon season.

Phoenix, United States

Phoenix Emergency Kit — Personalized for Your Risks

Phoenix is the hottest major city in the United States, where a record-shattering summer of 2023 proved that extreme heat — not floods or storms — is the deadliest disaster the metro faces.

Primary Risks for Phoenix

Extreme Heat
Dust Storm
Flash Flooding

Key takeaways for Phoenix

Primary risks: Extreme Heat, Dust Storm, Flash Flooding
Plan for: Heat is the killer — store a gallon of water per person per day for 7+ days, plan for a power outage during a heat wave, and keep dust-storm protection in the car.
Read more: Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management

What you'll get

Phoenix-specific risk analysis: AI-powered analysis of disaster risks specific to Phoenix and your exact address.
Personalized kit list: Emergency supplies tailored to your household size, pets, and home type.
Direct purchase links: One-click links to buy every item in your personalized kit.
Emergency action guide: Step-by-step instructions for each disaster type common in Phoenix.

Phoenix Risk Briefing

Local Hazard History

Phoenix's deadliest hazard isn't a storm — it's the heat. In 2023, Maricopa County recorded 645 heat-related deaths, the most ever documented and a 52% jump over the year before. That summer, Phoenix endured a record 31 consecutive days at or above 110°F (July 2023), shattering the previous record of 18 days set in 1974, and logged the hottest month ever recorded for any U.S. city. The metro's second signature hazard arrives with the monsoon: on July 5, 2011, one of the largest haboobs (dust storms) ever observed rolled across the Valley — a wall of dust over 5,000 feet high stretching from Apache Junction to Goodyear, cutting visibility to zero and knocking out power to thousands. Monsoon thunderstorms also dump intense rain on sun-baked desert soil that can't absorb it, turning dry washes and city streets into deadly flash floods within minutes.

When Risk Peaks

Jun–Sep: Extreme heat; daily highs routinely 105–115°F+, with the deadliest stretch in July and August
Jun 15–Sep 30: Official monsoon season — dust storms (haboobs), microburst winds, and flash flooding
Jul–mid-Sep: Peak haboob window; walls of dust can drop freeway visibility to zero in seconds
Year-round: Intense sun and very low humidity make dehydration a risk even outside summer

What to Pack for Phoenix

Phoenix preparedness is built around heat and outages, not cold or floodwater:

Water, and lots of it — store at least 1 gallon per person per day for 7+ days; a heat emergency is a hydration emergency first
A plan for losing power during a heat wave — battery fans, cooling towels, and the locations of the nearest public cooling centers
Electrolyte packets and knowledge of heat-illness warning signs (cramps, dizziness, confusion, hot dry skin)
An N95/KN95 mask and sealed eye protection for haboob dust
Keep a half-tank of fuel and emergency water in your vehicle — dust storms strand drivers; pull fully off the road, turn your lights off, and wait it out

Local Resources

Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management — Phoenix-area preparedness, alerts, and hazard planning.
Maricopa County Heat Surveillance & Reports — Official heat-illness death data and cooling-center information.
Arizona Dept. of Emergency & Military Affairs (DEMA) — Statewide emergency preparedness and response resources.
NWS Phoenix — Local forecasts, excessive-heat warnings, and monsoon dust-storm alerts.

Other locations

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