A strong microburst hit Tempe, Arizona, on October 13, 2025, between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. This sudden, powerful wind caused severe damage to apartment buildings near Southern Avenue and Kyrene Road.
The storm lasted three hours and forced over 130 residents to leave their homes. It destroyed several residential structures and left thousands of families looking for emergency shelter and help from local officials and relief organizations.
Massive Power Outages Hit Valley
The storm in Maricopa County caused approximately 34,000 customers to lose electricity, with widespread blackouts across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The Salt River Project noted 26,233 outages due to downed power lines, while Arizona Public Service reported nearly 7,000 additional outages. Utility crews began working overnight to repair the damage and restore essential services to affected neighborhoods.
Emergency Evacuations Using Ladders
Tempe Fire Department crews used ladder trucks to evacuate residents trapped in damaged apartment buildings after debris blocked exits. The Century Apartments suffered severe damage when large trees fell, crushing roofs and trapping families inside.
Emergency responders ensured all residents were safely evacuated before searching the buildings for any remaining occupants.
Red Cross Opens Emergency Shelter
The American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the Escalante Multi-Generational Center for families displaced by the microburst.
The shelter welcomes families and their pets, providing meals, accommodations, and essential supplies. Volunteers registered families and coordinated support with local agencies.
Resident Describes Terrifying Experience
“It only lasted 5 or 10 minutes tops, and then it was pretty much done, but then when we walked outside to see what happened, our fences are out in the backyard, our giant trees are down,” said a Tempe resident quoted by FOX10 Phoenix, describing the rapid destruction caused by the microburst.
During the storm, many families moved to interior hallways and safe areas. They followed safety protocols as the strong winds blew through their neighborhood.
Firefighters Rescue Trapped Families
“Trees crushing this apartment complex. More than 130 people now displaced,” reported ABC News on the microburst aftermath, as emergency crews conducted systematic rescues throughout the damaged area.
Emergency responders worked carefully to rescue residents after large trees fell through roofs and smashed apartment buildings. Many families were trapped inside their homes without safe ways to get out. “I don’t even know where I’m going to live. My building is uninhabitable,” said one displaced Tempe resident interviewed by ABC News.
Widespread Tree and Infrastructure Damage
The microburst damaged Dwight Park by uprooting large trees and turning soccer fields into ponds.
The damage spread along Kyrene Road from Elliot to Baseline Road. ABC15 helicopter footage captured overturned vehicles, collapsed fences, and debris in the residential area.
Local Business Suffers Major Damage
The Autoplex Auto Service center has serious damage, with metal roofing and equipment scattered around. Social media shows twisted metal and destroyed service bays.
The owner estimates major financial losses from property damage and lost business. The facility needs extensive repairs before it can reopen.
Multiple Apartment Complexes Hit Hard
Several apartment complexes near Mill Avenue and US 60 faced significant damage from falling trees, destroying some units. The Century Apartments required immediate evacuations as trees penetrated the roofs.
Other buildings in the area also suffered issues like collapsed roofs and broken windows. Property managers collaborated with city officials to evaluate which units were safe for residents to return to.
Weather Service Issues Flood Warnings
The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Warnings for Maricopa and Pinal counties until 4:15 p.m. MST due to dangerous conditions from heavy thunderstorms.
These storms have brought up to 0.75 inches of rain, with some areas receiving 0.5 inches in just 10 minutes. This rapid water buildup has created unsafe driving conditions and temporary flooding. Emergency officials recommend avoiding unnecessary travel.
Hurricane Priscilla Connection Confirmed
The destructive microburst was part of severe weather systems directly connected to moisture-rich remnants of Hurricane Priscilla moving through the Phoenix Valley region.
This tropical moisture created ideal atmospheric conditions for sudden, intense downbursts throughout the metropolitan area, according to meteorological analysis. Weather experts explained that the combination of tropical moisture and local atmospheric conditions created perfect conditions for the type of concentrated, destructive microburst that devastated the Tempe neighborhood.
Mobile Home Parks Are Particularly Vulnerable
Mobile home parks in the affected area sustained disproportionate damage due to their lightweight construction and limited structural reinforcement compared to traditional residential buildings.
The manufactured housing structures proved especially vulnerable to the microburst’s intense winds and flying debris. Many residents from these mobile home communities made up a significant portion of those requiring emergency shelter at the Red Cross facility, as their homes were either destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the storm damage.
Community Volunteers Rally to Help
Local charitable organizations and community volunteers quickly mobilized comprehensive support efforts for displaced families, providing essential resources including food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and basic household supplies.
The emergency shelter facility provided not only temporary housing accommodations but also crucial coordination services connecting affected residents with insurance representatives, city officials, and relief organizations. Volunteers worked in shifts to ensure continuous support services remained available throughout the crisis for all displaced families.
Rapid Power Restoration Efforts
By Tuesday morning, utility crews had successfully reduced the number of power outages from a peak of 34,000 affected customers to approximately 3,000 remaining without electricity.
Specialized repair teams worked around the clock to restore electrical service, systematically prioritizing essential services, including hospitals, emergency facilities, and high-density residential areas first. Crews faced challenges from downed trees blocking access roads and damaged electrical equipment requiring complete replacement rather than simple repairs.
Recovery Assessment Begins
City officials initiated comprehensive damage assessment procedures to determine the full extent of property destruction while coordinating directly with insurance companies, federal disaster relief agencies, and local contractors.
Building inspectors began systematic evaluations of residential structures to determine which units remained safe for occupancy. Emergency shelter operations continued at the Escalante Multi-Generational Center, where displaced families collaborated with relief organizations, insurance adjusters, and housing specialists to secure suitable temporary housing solutions during the extended recovery period.