HEBER-OVERGAARD — Crews in Navajo County are assessing damage after a violent storm, possibly a tornado, tore through the Heber-Overgaard area around 7 p.m. Wednesday, toppling trees and power poles and injuring at least one person, AZFamily and FOX 10 reported.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 7:03 p.m. for Aripine and Heber-Overgaard, warning of 60 mph winds and half-dollar-size hail. Forecasters said they would inspect the area Thursday or Friday to determine whether a tornado touched down.
Resident Betty Nixon told AZFamily the storm lasted less than a minute. “I got on the floor with the dogs and just was worried that the windows were gonna shatter. It sounded like a tornado,” she said. Power remained out for Navopache Electric Cooperative customers with no estimated restoration time.
A reception center for displaced residents is open at the Navajo County Heber Complex, 2188 W. Country Club Drive. State Rep. Walt Blackman asked Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency and send state resources. “The people of Heber need immediate assistance,” he said.
Residents should stay away from downed power lines and call 911 in an emergency.
Sources: AZFamily, FOX 10 Phoenix. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Jedijoe82 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
