Late freeze warning threatened La Paz County crops and plumbing

The National Weather Service in Phoenix issued a freeze warning on Jan 9 that covered large portions of La Paz County for the overnight hours between midnight MST and 8 a.m. MST on Jan 10. Forecasters expected sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s that could produce frost and kill sensitive vegetation or damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

The warning named affected zones including central La Paz County, Parker Valley, Aguila Valley, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, northwest Pinal County, west Pinal County and Palo Verde Valley, with communities listed on the official zone list such as Parker, Quartzsite, Ehrenberg and Salome. The narrow window of greatest risk came in the early morning hours when radiational cooling typically drives temperatures to their lowest levels.

Potential impacts outlined in the advisory highlighted two immediate local concerns: first, the vulnerability of crops, orchards and backyard plantings to frost injury; and second, the risk that outdoor water pipes and irrigation systems could freeze and burst if left unprotected. For La Paz County residents who rely on winter irrigation, commercial growers who coordinate watering schedules, and homeowners with exposed plumbing, those outcomes can create both immediate property damage and longer-term costs.

The NWS advisory urged residents to take steps before the cold arrived: protect tender plants, wrap or drain outdoor water lines, or allow faucets to drip slowly to reduce the chance of freezing. Those precautions are straightforward but time-sensitive; when an overnight freeze arrives within a narrow window, last-minute measures can make the difference between minor loss and larger damage.

Beyond the immediate weather threat, the event underscores ongoing questions about local preparedness and infrastructure resilience. La Paz County’s mix of small farms, suburban yards and RV/riverfront properties means responsibility for protection falls largely to individual property owners and operators. That reality elevates the role of county emergency management and extension services in warning dissemination and community outreach, particularly when freezing events coincide with other seasonal stresses.

The freeze warning is now past, but the work is not over. The community should inspect outdoor pipes and irrigation lines for cracks, check vulnerable plantings for frost damage, and factor freeze risk into winter planting and water management choices going forward.

The takeaway? If you garden, farm or maintain outdoor plumbing, check your lines and young plants now and make a simple plan for the next cold snap - covering, draining or a slow drip can save you time and money.