As the Flood Control District of Maricopa County continues to update the Gilbert-Chandler Area Drainage Master Study/Plan (ADMS/P), we’re asking for your help in documenting flood events. Here are some tips for taking videos and photos to help your community manage future stormwater events.

1. BE SAFE! – Never enter or cross a flooded wash or enter a filled retention basin. Do not risk life or property to document flooding. Take multiple photos or videos OUTSIDE of the flooded area to capture the extent of the flooding, such as where the water flows and where it is pooling the highest.
2. LOCATION – Turn on Geolocation on your phone or camera to provide the location of the photo, or document the location by including street signs or some sort of characteristic in the photo or video that will show the flooding location.
3. SHOW US – Show the depth of the flooding by including signs, block walls, trees, vehicles, a trash can, etc., that can estimate how deep the flooding is. Photos can also be taken after the flooding has receded. Often, flood waters leave a high-water mark, a line of minor debris or sediment in the water, which shows how high the water rose. Photographing this is as good as taking a photo of the flooding itself. If possible, use a tape measure to show the height of the high-water mark.
4. DOCUMENT – Document the date and time the flooding occurred. This will help to identify the storm event associated with the documented flooding.

If you cannot safely take a photo or video, you can still document the flooding event by providing input on the study’s website. Add a marker on our interactive mapping activity to share specific locations where flooding has occurred, OR tell us where you feel there is a concern for future flooding.

Even a comment noting the date, general location, and approximate depth of the flooding is useful.

Submit your photos, videos, or comments directly on the Give Input page.