Susan Strom
EF5
Monsoon chasers please be aware of the shifting political situation in the Southwest before heading off into parts of Arizona to film lightning and sandstorms at the current time.
There are many recent reports that the borderland troubles with the smuggling and illegal immigration have worsened and spread north, creating unsafe travel conditions in some areas.
A few years back after speaking to the border patrol first-hand for their advice, I made a personal decision not to chase in certain areas in Arizona. Most were in the borderlands.
I admittedly feel pretty sad right now as I cross off a few more vantage points where I shoot lightning. These are places I have chased a hundred times and feel close to...and they are quite a ways north of the border. This year for me, they're out.
Stanfield (outside of Casa Grande):
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromLightningFactory.jpg
Pinal County deserts:
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromMaricopaHabH.jpg
The Sawtooth range near Eloy/Arizona City
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/LLCallofthedesert.jpg
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromDarkBeauty.jpg
I-8 and also Gila Bend, and my list is not limited to these.
Please talk to the county sheriff or border patrol, rather than just the media, for news on the changing situation and whether travel to some of the places is recommended.
Travel caution sign:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/photographs700/travel-caution.jpg
Losing parts of Arizona:
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/regio...can-drug-cartels-now-control-parts-of-arizona
Arizona persists as the wild west it seems.
Monsoon chasers, please know where you are and what the situation is, for the areas you chase this year...
There are many recent reports that the borderland troubles with the smuggling and illegal immigration have worsened and spread north, creating unsafe travel conditions in some areas.
A few years back after speaking to the border patrol first-hand for their advice, I made a personal decision not to chase in certain areas in Arizona. Most were in the borderlands.
I admittedly feel pretty sad right now as I cross off a few more vantage points where I shoot lightning. These are places I have chased a hundred times and feel close to...and they are quite a ways north of the border. This year for me, they're out.
Stanfield (outside of Casa Grande):
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromLightningFactory.jpg
Pinal County deserts:
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromMaricopaHabH.jpg
The Sawtooth range near Eloy/Arizona City
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/LLCallofthedesert.jpg
http://www.lightninglady.com/photos/StromDarkBeauty.jpg
I-8 and also Gila Bend, and my list is not limited to these.
Please talk to the county sheriff or border patrol, rather than just the media, for news on the changing situation and whether travel to some of the places is recommended.
Travel caution sign:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/photographs700/travel-caution.jpg
Losing parts of Arizona:
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/regio...can-drug-cartels-now-control-parts-of-arizona
Arizona persists as the wild west it seems.
Monsoon chasers, please know where you are and what the situation is, for the areas you chase this year...