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Likely Tornado Tears Through Heber‑Overgaard, Causing Significant Damage

Local reception centers and Red Cross sheltering are open as the National Weather Service prepares an on-site damage survey to determine whether a tornado touched down.

Overview

  • A powerful rotating supercell moved through Heber‑Overgaard on Wednesday night, and radar scans plus dashcam and resident videos point to a stovepipe tornado that damaged homes and infrastructure.
  • Local officials reported at least one person injured and multiple downed power poles that left parts of the community without electricity while crews begin damage assessments.
  • Navajo County, the Heber‑Overgaard Fire District and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office opened a reception center and coordinated Red Cross sheltering for displaced residents.
  • State Rep. Walt Blackman has urged Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency and said he will visit the area as Navopache Electric Cooperative and local crews work to restore service.
  • The National Weather Service has not yet made an official tornado confirmation and will perform an in-person damage survey in the coming days, and forecasters warned that storms capable of producing tornadoes could continue into Thursday.