Shelter opens after damaging storm, suspected tornado hits Heber-Overgaard area

Significant damage and minor injuries have been reported in the Heber-Overgaard area after a suspected tornado moved through Wednesday evening, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday morning statement.

Emergency crews are continuing to assess the damage and assist affected residents. The sheriff’s office did not provide an injury count or additional details about the injuries.

A reception center for displaced residents has opened at the Navajo County Heber Complex, located at 2188 West Country Club Drive in Heber. The American Red Cross is coordinating a shelter, with details to be announced once available.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Heber-Overgaard Fire District, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office are responding to the affected area.

Residents are encouraged to watch for further announcements and follow instructions from emergency personnel.

Suspected tornado moved through Wednesday evening

The National Weather Service’s Flagstaff office told KTAR News 92.3 FM that a tornado likely touched down around 7 p.m. Wednesday as a thunderstorm carrying tornado warnings passed through the area.

“We believe that it did produce a tornado there,” NWS meteorologist Justin Johndrow said Wednesday. “We do have a few reports unofficially that there is some damage there.”

The sheriff’s office’s Thursday morning statement described the storm as a “significant weather event” but did not confirm a tornado.

The NWS said Wednesday that confirmation could take until Thursday or Friday because officials would need to survey the damage in person.

Rep. Walt Blackman, who represents Legislative District 7, said in an X post Wednesday that a possible tornado had struck the area. He reported one injury and power outages and called on Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency.

More than 1,200 customers were without power in the area as of 10 p.m. Wednesday. Navopache Electric Cooperative said crews were assessing damage and working to restore service. The sheriff’s office’s Thursday statement did not include an updated outage count.

Heber-Overgaard is about 140 miles northeast of Phoenix in Navajo County and is home to about 3,000 people.

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