Residents in Heber-Overgaard are beginning a lengthy clean-up after severe weather damaged between 20 and 30 homes, cut power and left at least one person hospitalised with minor injuries in Navajo County, Arizona.
State representative Walt Blackman has urged Governor Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency, saying the community needs immediate help after the storm struck on Wednesday evening, October 21.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings for 60mph winds, large hail and a possible tornado. However, meteorologists have not yet officially confirmed that a tornado touched down.
Blackman said the storm caused widespread damage, with trees uprooted and falling on houses, vehicles damaged by hail and power lines brought down. He said families remained without electricity while officials assessed the full extent of the destruction.
“The people of Heber need immediate assistance. We have families without power, significant property damage, and at least one reported injury,” he said.
Heber-Overgaard storm damage
Residents described a sudden and violent burst of wind that lasted less than a minute. Fallen trees blocked roads across the community, while sheds, windows and sections of roofs were damaged.
Heber-Overgaard fire chief Jason Payne said the storm arrived “like a freight train”. Suzanne Masterson said a tree broke through the metal roof of her bedroom after a storage shed was lifted into the air and thrown on to the house.
“You don’t think about anything else other than trying to get to safety,” she said.
Other residents said they had received little warning before the storm arrived. Some reported that alerts reached their phones only moments before the damage began, while others said they were unaware of receiving an alert at all.
Hobbs said on October 22 that her administration was working with Navajo County Emergency Management on sheltering and support. She directed the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Department of Transportation to co-ordinate recovery work with county officials.
Blackman said an emergency declaration could help mobilise state resources for restoring power, clearing roads, supporting displaced residents and repairing damaged infrastructure. He also said it could help establish whether further federal assistance would be needed.
A Red Cross shelter has been established at Capps Middle School for residents who need somewhere to stay. People have been warned to avoid downed power lines and damaged areas, and to call 911 in an emergency.
The National Weather Service is expected to inspect the area to determine whether a tornado occurred. In the meantime, residents have begun clearing debris and checking on neighbours as the community faces what officials described as a long recovery.
