Trees fell on to homes and utility poles were knocked down by a possible tornado in a central Arizona community during a series of violent storms that moved through the state overnight into Thursday. Storms capable of causing hail and wind damage were traveling through central Arizona early on Thursday, with some flood watches and the possibility of tornadoes, the National Weather Service said. On Wednesday night, northern and central parts of the state saw hail the size of golf balls that pummeled people’s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, along with damaging wind gusts.
The weather service had issued multiple warnings during the severe thunderstorms. A tornado warning was in effect on Wednesday night as a storm moved over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo county, about 140 miles (225km) north-east of Phoenix. People in the area posted photos and video online of uprooted trees and crumpled structures.
Significant damage and minor injuries were reported, the county sheriff’s office said in a statement. There are about 3,000 people in the community. Walt Blackman, a Republican state representative whose district covers parts of the county, requested a state of emergency declaration.
The storm hit as members of the Overgaard Baptist church were wrapping up a prayer meeting. Nerves were rattled, but members were OK. Warm, moist air moving north fuels storms coming off the California coast.
Changing winds can make them spin, creating the conditions for tornadoes, said Ryan Bernhart, a weather service meteorologist in Flagstaff. Strong winds toppled trees in Flagstaff and Mesa, with some landing on walls and carports. A few dozen ponderosa pines more than 30ft (9 meters) tall fell down in the Coconino national forest, north-west of Flagstaff.
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