Overview
- A violent storm system struck Arizona Wednesday, producing golf- to baseball-sized hail, damaging straight-line winds and a suspected tornado that injured at least one person in Heber‑Overgaard.
- Neighborhoods in Mesa and North Phoenix suffered heavy damage to roofs, windows, vehicles and park facilities, forcing some schools to shift to virtual learning while residents begin large-scale cleanup.
- Utilities reported outage peaks in the low thousands but restored power to most customers, with crews still working to clear downed lines, mitigate propane hazards and repair localized infrastructure.
- National Weather Service teams are conducting ground surveys to confirm tornado touchdowns, while local officials have opened shelters and requested emergency assistance for affected communities.
- NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has recorded a very strong El Niño that forecasters say is fueling the unusually moist, storm-prone pattern and increasing the near-term risk of additional severe storms and flooding across the Four Corners and Arizona.