Violent storms moved through central Arizona overnight into Thursday, knocking down utility poles, uprooting trees and damaging homes.
The National Weather Service reported that storms capable of wind damage and hail were traveling through the region early on Thursday. Officials issued flood watches alongside warnings about the possibility of tornadoes.
Northern and central parts of the state experienced golf ball-sized hail during Wednesday night. The severe weather shattered windows, dented cars and pummeled residential roofs as damaging wind gusts swept through the area.
A tornado warning was active on Wednesday night while a storm tracked over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo county. This community lies about 140 miles north-east of Phoenix and has a population of roughly 3,000 residents.
Residents shared photos and video online showing crumpled structures and uprooted trees. The county sheriff’s office stated that minor injuries and significant damage were reported from the area.
Walt Blackman, a Republican state representative whose district covers parts of Navajo county, requested a state of emergency declaration following the severe weather.
“We have families without power, significant property damage, and at least one reported injury,” he said in a statement.
The storm struck just as members of the Overgaard Baptist church were concluding a prayer meeting. The congregation sought shelter as the severe weather arrived.
“We took some damage, lost a lot of trees, signs, fences and a few windows,” the church posted online on Wednesday night. Church members reported that their nerves were rattled, but everyone was safe after sheltering together.
Ryan Bernhart, a weather service meteorologist in Flagstaff, explained that warm and moist air moving north fuels storms coming off the California coast. Changing winds can cause these systems to spin, creating conditions for tornadoes.
“This is very unusual for this area at this time of the year,” Bernhart said.
Strong winds also toppled trees in Flagstaff and Mesa, with some falling onto carports and walls. In the Coconino national forest, north-west of Flagstaff, a few dozen ponderosa pines more than 30 feet tall were brought down.
“These are not small trees that are down,” Bernhart said. “These are pretty strong trees that had been knocked down.”
