Since moving to the southwest, I have become more familiar with this phenomenon.

When I lived in the east this didn’t really occur in the region I lived.

It is mind boggling how fast it can happen. Bone dry desert washes become raging torrents literally in minutes!

Someone I know got caught in one here in town last week.

They seem to come out of nowhere!

Any general guidelines for surviving them ( or better yet avoiding them ) would be appreciated

About 40 years ago now, I got some advice from a waitress in a small town diner in southern Utah. She said, "If there's clouds on the horizon...stay away from the washes". I've seen how they can blow out on a moment's notice. Her advice has stuck with me over the years.