High Wind — Yavapai County Mountains, Arizona

2009-12-07 to 2009-12-08 · Yavapai County Mountains, Arizona

Event narrative

Very strong winds knocked over a 70 tall-two foot thick-ponderosa pine tree about 20 miles east of Camp Verde. The tree fell on a man sleeping in a tent. The man was struck in the head and died instantly. A friend in the tent was not injured. Measured wind speeds include: Prescott Love Field: 74 MPH, Crown King (Horsethief Basin RAWS) : 69 MPH, and Mingus Mountain 70 MPH. About 5000 homes lost powers during the storm. At least 60 large trees fell throughout Prescott. Thirty trees had to be cut and removed from roadways. At least six trees fell on homes. Other trees fell on parked cars. Many homes and businesses reported roof damage or destruction.

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm hit northern Arizona December 7th and 8th. This storm produced heavy snow, strong winds, and limited visibility in the high country. In the lower terrain, this storm produced heavy rain, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms. Freeways were closed due to snow and blowing snow, hunters were trapped by heavy snow and falling trees, and over 400 hundred cars slid off the roads. The storm resulted in the largest search and rescue operations in Coconino County with nearly 50 people located from the Grand Canyon to Happy Jack. The Department of Public Safety dispatch center in Flagstaff received 3,000 calls for service within the first 24 hours of this storm. There were close to 550 slide offs and motorist assists, 83 non-injury collisions, and 26 injury collisions across northern Arizona. More than 14,000 customers were without power after the storm passed. Heavy rains loosened soil around boulders allowing them to fall on roadways. This storm caused school closures across the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 201472. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.