Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency for two counties on Oct. 30, nine days after a tornado ripped through Heber–Overgaard, injuring one person, damaging homes, and toppling trees.
“My thoughts are with all of the Arizona communities impacted by last week’s tornadoes and storms,” Hobbs said in a statement.
“I am committed to making sure each community has the resources it needs to continue recovering, and am thankful to everyone who is supporting ongoing recovery efforts.”
The declaration covers Navajo and Coconino counties, where extreme weather, pounding rain, high winds, hail, and three tornadoes struck from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22.
Navajo County submitted an application for state financial assistance on Oct. 28 after power outages, property damage, and blocked roads created potential threats to public health and safety.
Under the declaration, Hobbs directed that the state’s general fund make $200,000 available to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), Division of Emergency Management. The funding will support ongoing response and recovery efforts in affected communities.
On Oct. 29, Hobbs visited Heber–Overgaard, an unincorporated mountain community along the Mogollon Rim in eastern Arizona, for a roundtable discussion with state, local, and county officials about the storm’s impact.
Hobbs also met with volunteers from Navajo County Search and Rescue, Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse, Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network, Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and the American Red Cross.
“I am proud of the partnership and collaboration demonstrated across state, local, and county agencies,” Hobbs said.
“Open communication and coordination led to swift response times, prompt welfare checks, and the ability to quickly develop effective recovery strategies, all while prioritizing the community’s safety.”
The National Weather Service rated all three tornadoes EF-1 using the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds of 86 to 110 miles per hour (mph).
The first touched down southeast of Prescott at about 7:32 a.m. local time on Oct. 21 and traveled roughly eight miles, packing winds of about 105 mph before dissipating.
The second tornado struck south of Heber–Overgaard at about 6:59 p.m. local time, with winds estimated at 110 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
It left a nine-mile path of destruction, damaging homes and recreational vehicles and snapping pines as it moved north across State Route 260 before dissipating near State Route 277.
A third tornado struck northern Arizona at 5:41 p.m. local time on Oct. 21, with winds of 110 mph. It traveled 2.3 miles before dissipating west of Highway 180, north of Bellemont.
Before the governor declared the state of emergency, volunteer crews were already cleaning up debris and using chainsaws to remove fallen trees and limbs.
One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries after the tornado lifted him off his bicycle while riding to the store, according to local media outlets.
Hobbs’s office told The Epoch Times on Oct. 27 that it was still assessing the situation and gathering updates before deciding whether to declare a state of emergency.
Despite its largely desert climate, Arizona averages four to six tornadoes a year, most rated EF-0 to EF-2, with a few reaching EF-3, according to Arizona State University’s Climate Office.
