Are there any natural disasters in the Phoenix area? (power lines, insurance)

[markeg]

I live in Tampa and have the good possibility of losing my home in the next few hours because of Irma.
This entire ordeal is way to stressful to ever go through again.
Does Phoenix have any natural disasters? Wind storms, floods, fires? I am so over hurricanes, tropical storms, humidity, mosquitoes etc.
I am looking into a place to live in the southwest where I could enjoy life without worrying that my life is going to be taken or my home destroyed.
Any imput is greatly appreciated. Please send positive thoughts my way. Thank you.

[Pink Jazz]

The worst we typically get are severe thunderstorms and flash floods. Tornadoes are rare, and we don't get hurricanes except for their remnants. One thing we are known for though are dust storms, or "haboobs".

[markeg]

Are the dust storms life threatening?

[goolsbyjazz]

Aside from dust storms and flash floods (we don't get much rain) our most common disasters are wrong way drivers on tbe highways!!! Don't understand it, but it happens more than it should.

[markeg]

We have wrong way drivers here too, and they have taken many lives.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by markeg

We have wrong way drivers here too, and they have taken many lives.

My advice is to see what's left after Irma passes and if you're still interested come out and see for yourself. Fear of natural disasters is not something we give much thought to out here.

[MrsMac]

The Phoenix metro area has a much lower risk of natural disasters than the majority of the U.S. (which is why my home insurance is about 75% less than it was when I lived in tornado alley, earthquake country or Colorado, land of hail and wildfire). If mother nature wants you, she will get you - no place is risk free. Happily, the odds of any of kind of natural disaster happening in the metro Phoenix area are smaller than practically anywhere else in the country. The only thing we worry about on a regular basis is the risk of flash floods (never seen one but I pay attention to the warnings) and wind damage (to roofs and the like) during monsoon season oh, and the occasional dust storm. (Never seen a life threatening one of those but I pay attention to the warnings we get once or twice a year and know what to do if I am driving during one).

Every year when that 120 degree week or two arrives and I wonder why I live here I remind myself of how much fun I didn't have living through the Loma Prieta earthquake, tornadoes in Oklahoma and evacuating during wildfires and replacing hail damaged roofs in CO. (The lack of high humidity and mosquitoes during the summer helps, too.) That holds me over until late fall and winter when the reason I love it here is easily apparent just by stepping outside!

[singlegirlinaz]

We get some big microbursts in the summer. It seems like every week in July or August some part of the Valley has power lines down, trees blown over, and homes damaged from a monsoon storm. Floods are hardly ever a problem with these storms, wind is the biggest nuisance.

Heat is the big thing to worry about here, it's expected because it's America's hottest city. At least heat doesn't flood your house or cause other natural disasters.

Phoenix is a great place to live if you don't want to put up with wide spread flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, or blizzards.

[azmemories]

Originally Posted by markeg

Are the dust storms life threatening?

The most dangerous part of a dust storm is their sudden appearance and reduced visibility, a definite hazard for motorists.

It should be noted markeg that another thread receiving a lot of attention had to do with someone wanting to relocate to the southwest because of metaphorically greener grass. You are obviously caught up in the moment now with the impending storm, which is very understandable.

My point is to please take more things into consideration before making a big move with avoiding natural disasters as your primary motive.

[Zen88]

All of the above and the no snow thing is why I want to retire to Phoenix.