News Summary
Governor Katie Hobbs has declared a state of emergency in Gila and Maricopa Counties following a microburst that hit on October 13. The storm, caused by hurricane remnants, led to severe destruction, including uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure. An immediate $200,000 is allocated for recovery efforts. This declaration follows previous emergencies in affected areas and aims to expedite recovery and support damaged communities. Local authorities are assessing damage and providing aid as residents remain vigilant during recovery operations.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has declared a state of emergency for Gila County and Maricopa County following a devastating microburst that struck on Monday, October 13. The declaration is a response to the severe weather that has significantly impacted local communities and infrastructure.
The microburst was caused by the remnants of Hurricanes Priscilla and Raymond, which traveled northward from Mexico’s west coast. In Tempe, the storm resulted in 0.75 inches of rain and wind gusts reaching up to 90 mph within minutes, leading to widespread destruction. Reports indicate that roofs were ripped off buildings, and trees were uprooted, falling onto cars and homes.
On Wednesday, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods had already issued a state of emergency in the city due to the immediate effects of the storm. Governor Hobbs’ declaration enhances this state of emergency on a broader scale, allowing for the release of $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to support relief efforts in the affected areas.
The Arizona Division of Emergency Management will oversee the allocation and use of these funds to assist in recovery initiatives. Governor Hobbs has expressed her concern for the communities affected by the torrential rainfall and related flooding and has committed to providing necessary resources for their recovery.
In addition to her initial emergency declaration for Gila County, which was originally issued on September 27, the governor has amended the declaration to include Mohave County due to reports of additional property damage from the recent storms. This area had previously faced challenges from heavy rains and flash floods, which resulted in three fatalities in late September. Local officials have reported significant damage across the affected areas, including displacements of families and substantial harm to homes and businesses.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has been directed to seek assistance from the Federal Highway Administration to address road repairs related to the storm damage. This step aims to expedite the recovery process for essential transportation routes affected by severe weather.
Residents in Gila and Maricopa Counties are encouraged to stay vigilant and safe as recovery efforts commence. Local authorities are working diligently to assess the damage and provide the necessary support to those who have been impacted by the microburst. The state government remains committed to ensuring that help is available to all Arizonans facing hardship due to the recent extreme weather conditions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KTAR News
- Wikipedia: Microburst
- 12 News
- Google Search: Gila County Arizona state of emergency
- AZ Central
- Encyclopedia Britannica: State of Emergency
- Fox Weather
- Google News: Arizona microburst 2025
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