High Wind — Northern Gila County, Arizona

2009-12-07 · Northern Gila County, Arizona

Event narrative

Strong winds caused extensive damage to the roof and porch of the Humane Society of Central Arizona in Payson early morning on December 8th as a strong cold front passed. The winds peeled the tin roof back, tore off shingles, and blew off two swamp coolers.

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 204807. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.