Safety first: if there is fire, gas smell, or electrical risk near water, leave and call 911 or your utility first.
Roof and drainage
- Clear roof scuppers, canales, gutters, and downspouts.
- Check that downspouts discharge away from the foundation.
- Look for cracked parapet caps and roof coatings.
Yard and foundation
- Grade soil so it slopes away from walls.
- Keep washes and drainage paths in your yard clear of debris.
- Note low spots where water pooled last year.
- Caliche layers in Tucson soil can slow water from soaking in, so runoff can collect quickly. Plan for it to move across the surface.
Doors, garages, and sandbags
Water often enters through garage doors and low thresholds. Keep sandbags on hand; the City of Tucson and Pima County publish sandbag locations each season.
Document now
Walk through your home and take photos and video before storm season. Store copies of your insurance policy somewhere you can reach from your phone.
After a storm
Check ceilings, walls near the floor, and garage corners for moisture. Never drive or walk through flooded washes. If water got in, follow our first 24 hours guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Standard policies often exclude flood from outside water. Flood insurance is usually separate. Ask your agent.
What causes most monsoon water damage?
Roof leaks, blocked drainage, and runoff entering through doors and low points are common sources.
More guides
- Water damage: what to do in the first 24 hours
- Water heater leaking? Limit the damage
- Swamp cooler leaks and mold
- Water damage insurance claim tips
- Slab leak signs in Tucson homes
- Mold after a leak: what to know
- How to vet a restoration contractor in Arizona
- Roof leak or plumbing leak?
- Preventing burst pipes during a Tucson freeze
- Smoke odor and soot after a small fire
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