HEBER-OVERGAARD, Ariz. — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency Friday for Navajo and Coconino counties following severe storms that brought tornadoes, heavy rainfall, hail and damaging winds to northern Arizona October 20–22.
On October 21, an EF-1 tornado struck the Heber-Overgaard community, producing estimated peak winds of 110 mph. The tornado traveled more than nine miles, uprooting trees, damaging homes and other structures, bringing down power lines and leaving residents facing extensive cleanup and recovery efforts.
Following the tornado, Legislative District 7 Representative Walt Blackman called on Hobbs to declare a state of emergency. The Navajo County Board of Supervisors also declared a local emergency.
Initial reports earlier this week indicated the governor had declined the request. Blackman subsequently urged reconsideration, emphasizing the need for long-term recovery assistance beyond the immediate emergency response.
Navajo County formally submitted its application for state financial assistance on Wednesday, October 28, citing damage to public and private property, power outages, blocked roadways and potential threats to public health and safety.
On Thursday, October 29, Hobbs visited Heber-Overgaard and met with state, county and local officials to review storm damage, emergency response operations and recovery efforts.
Officials participating in the discussions included Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daryl Seymore, Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger, Supervisor Jason Whiting, Navajo County Emergency Manager Catrina Jenkins, Heber-Overgaard Fire Chief Jason Payne and representatives from state and local emergency response agencies.
Hobbs also met with volunteers from Navajo County Search and Rescue, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse, Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network, Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the American Red Cross.
On Friday, October 30, Hobbs issued the emergency declaration authorizing state funding for both counties.
The declaration makes $200,000 available from the state’s general fund to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), Division of Emergency Management, to support ongoing emergency response and recovery efforts in several areas. The state has not publicly identified specific projects, recipients, or dollar amounts for this $200,000 allocation. The declaration authorizes the funding; it does not provide an itemized spending plan.
“My thoughts are with all of the Arizona communities impacted by last week’s tornadoes and storms,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “I am committed to making sure each community has the resources it needs to continue recovering, and am thankful to everyone who is supporting ongoing recovery efforts.”
Read the emergency declaration by clicking the link: Heber/Overgaard Emergency Declaration
The declaration provides additional state resources to support recovery operations but does not automatically establish direct financial assistance for individual homeowners or constitute a federal disaster declaration.
For residents of Heber-Overgaard, recovery continues as families, volunteers, first responders, and local agencies work to clear debris, repair damaged property, and restore the community following one of the area’s most destructive recent weather events.
