After possible tornado strike, lawmaker calls on Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare state of emergency

Heber-Overgaard may have been hit by a tornado Wednesday, prompting state Rep. Walt Blackman to ask Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency.

A tornado has not been confirmed, but significant damage was reported in the community, which is in Blackman’s district.

“I sent the letter last night after I got word from an initial assessment that we’re gonna need some state resources up in our area: Heber-Overgaard,” Blackman told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday.

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

Governor responds to request for state of emergency declaration

After Blackman joined KTAR News, Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a statement.

“My thoughts are with the Heber-Overgaard community after a reported tornado. My administration is actively coordinating with Navajo County Emergency Management on sheltering and support. I am grateful for the first responders on site who are assisting the impacted area,” Hobbs said. 

She added that she is working with DEMA, DPS and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to help the community.

“We stand ready to deploy resources to assess damage, and I’ve directed DEMA, DPS and ADOT to work hand-in-hand with county officials on recovery efforts,” Hobbs said.

How would state of emergency help Heber-Overgaard after possible tornado?

“We have several homes that are damaged. We have one person that was injured. They were taken to the hospital with minor injuries,” Blackman said. “Right now we have folks on the ground, boots on the ground, that are doing that assessment.”

Local teams and personnel from Arizona’s Division of Emergency Management are assessing the storm’s damage and will provide updates, he said.

Blackman said an emergency declaration would help prioritize the community’s need for assistance and support a request for federal aid if the damage exceeds local or state resources.

“As you know, we got hit a couple years ago … and the governor was awesome getting that aid to us,” Blackman said. “That’s why I went ahead and sent that state of emergency to mitigate any other damage.”

He said he has been coordinating with the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, which has sent teams to assess the damage.

“Collectively, we do have extensive damage, trees fallen in homes, vehicles being damaged by hail and just the regular type of damage you see in these type of situations,” Blackman said.

While awaiting a response from the governor’s office, local crews are clearing debris and helping residents.

Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers are knocking on doors to make sure residents whose homes were damaged by fallen trees are safe, Blackman said.

“We have a lot of folks, state resources, local resources, local leadership to check on people, move debris,” Blackman said.

Blackman wants help from state and federal help in the cleanup efforts

Blackman said he hopes Hobbs and Republican U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane will help secure assistance.

“I have found that when the governor is involved in this we do a state of emergency, she’s able to get those resources from the federal government, if necessary, quicker,” Blackman said.

He said help from Arizona’s congressional delegation could also speed up the delivery of supplies.

“Congressman Crane I know he’s on this and also Congressman Biggs will I’m sure he’ll jump on this to help us get FEMA if if we need it,” Blackman said.

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