Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Tempe Urges Damage Reports as Hobbs Declares Emergency After 90‑Mph Microburst

The city says comprehensive damage surveys from residents will determine its case for federal disaster funding.

Overview

  • Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a state emergency declaration covering Maricopa County that releases $200,000 in immediate funds and mobilizes resources for recovery.
  • Officials, including Rep. Greg Stanton and Mayor Corey Woods, are pressing residents and businesses to file damage assessments as federal assistance remains uncertain and FEMA has faced delays.
  • A preliminary NWS review found citywide impacts across Tempe’s 40 square miles with localized gusts near 90 mph; reports cite hundreds of damaged homes and businesses, more than 130 displaced residents, peak outages around 34,000, and roughly 500 park trees lost.
  • Cleanup is underway with city crews collecting about 70 tons of fallen trees and debris, while police and fire handled hundreds of storm-related calls in a matter of hours.
  • Damage assessment teams have completed roughly 450 official reports, but only about 75 self-reports had been submitted by residents as of Thursday night, and leaders warn recovery could take weeks to months.