“My thoughts are with all of the Arizona communities impacted by last week’s tornadoes and storms,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has officially declared a state of emergency for Navajo and Coconino counties following extreme weather events that struck the regions.
The emergency declaration covers severe weather that hit the regions between October 20 and October 22, bringing heavy rains, high winds, hail, and tornadoes. In response, Navajo County officials formally submitted an application for state financial assistance on Wednesday, October 28. Power outages, damage to public and private buildings, obstructed streets, and heightened risks to public safety and well-being resulted from the severe weather and tornado.
To support ongoing response and recovery efforts, Governor Hobbs directed $200,000 from the state’s general fund to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), Division of Emergency Management. These funds are designated to support ongoing response and recovery efforts in affected communities.
Governor Hobbs Visits Heber-Overgaard for Local Briefings
The governor traveled to Heber-Overgaard for a roundtable discussion with state, local, and county officials. Officials updated her on the storm’s effects on the area, the speed and nature of the incident response, recovery measures, and the steps taken by the state during the visit. Navajo County Emergency Management, the Division of Emergency Management, and the Heber-Overgaard Fire District provided briefings to the governor.
Grateful for the swift action taken by our first responders and emergency teams in Heber-Overgaard after last week’s tornado. Today, I joined state and local leaders for a roundtable discussion on response and recovery efforts, as well as the storm's impact on the community. My… pic.twitter.com/A4YinU2dy3
Key officials participating in the roundtable included Britton Holdaway, Interim Director of the Division of Emergency Management, DEMA; Catrina Jenkins, Navajo County Emergency Manager; Chairman Daryl Seymore, Navajo County Board of Supervisors; Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger, Navajo County Board of Supervisors; Supervisor Jason E. Whiting, Navajo County Board of Supervisors; County Manager Bryan Layton, Navajo County; Assistant County Manager Rochelle Lacapa, Navajo County; Chief Deputy Jeff Sharp, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Chief Wylie Williams, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; and Fire Chief Jason Payne, Heber-Overgaard Fire District. Arizona Department of Public Safety representatives, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office representatives, and Navajo County Emergency Management representatives also attended.
Once the formal briefings concluded, Governor Hobbs expressed her gratitude to volunteers representing the American Red Cross, Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network (HOCRN), Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Navajo County Search and Rescue, and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse for their work in aiding the neighborhood.
“I am proud of the partnership and collaboration demonstrated across state, local and county agencies,” said Governor Hobbs. “Open communication and coordination led to swift response times, prompt welfare checks, and the ability to quickly develop effective recovery strategies, all while prioritizing the community’s safety.”
Additional details regarding the formal parameters of the response can be reviewed in the official Emergency Declaration, while members of the press can access photographs of the governor’s visit online.
