To most, desert means "no water" and"always dry." This is not quite correct, because deserts in North America, while experiencing low precip annually, get torrential rains nonetheless, leading to flooding, often catastrophic.

Tropical Storm Bud just hit Southern Arizona with some unseasonable rainfall, as an example. In later summer, thunderstorms, with lightning and flash floods, will make life exciting.

Our SAR team eventually developed considerable capability in swift water rescue, frequently employed. Among the fatalities we encountered, drowning was the second leading cause, right behind falls. And this in Tucson, AZ!

What water comes will be unpredictable as to time and amount.