HEBER-OVERGAARD — Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency Friday for Navajo and Coconino counties after severe storms from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22 spun up tornadoes in northern Arizona, KTAR News reported.
The declaration makes $200,000 from the state’s general fund available through the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs for response and recovery, according to KTAR News and Arizona’s Family.
The governor had initially declined to declare an emergency but was urged to reconsider by state Rep. Walt Blackman, whose district includes Heber-Overgaard. “A State of Emergency declaration can provide recovery funding, support debris removal and open a path to federal aid,” Blackman posted on X.
The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes across the state, the most destructive in Heber-Overgaard. That EF1 tornado packed winds of about 110 mph and traveled more than 9 miles over more than 11 minutes, according to the reports.
The tornado damaged dozens of structures, left at least one man homeless and knocked down many trees, authorities said. One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Hobbs toured the area Thursday. Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chair Daryl Seymour said the county had tallied about $20,000 in damage so far, Arizona’s Family reported, with assessments continuing.
Sources: KTAR News, Arizona’s Family. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Liz Roll / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
