Violent Arizona storms bring possible tornado, toppled trees and golf ball-size hail – ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Violent Arizona storms bring possible tornado, toppled trees and golf ball-size hail  ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

A possible tornado has caused significant damage in a central Arizona community, with trees falling onto homes and utility poles knocked down PHOENIX — Trees fell onto homes and utility poles were knocked down by a possible tornado in a central Arizona community during a series of violent storms that moved through the state overnight into Thursday. Storms capable of causing hail and wind damage were traveling through central Arizona early Thursday, with some flood watches and the possibility of tornadoes, the National Weather Service said. On Wednesday night, northern and central parts of the state saw hail the size of golf balls that pummeled people’s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, along with damaging wind gusts.

The weather service had issued multiple warnings during the severe thunderstorms. A tornado warning was in effect Wednesday night as a storm moved over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo County, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of Phoenix. People in the area posted photos and video online of uprooted trees and crumpled structures. Significant damage and minor injuries were reported, the county sheriff's office said in a statement. There are about 3,000 people in the community. State Rep. Walt Blackman, whose district covers parts of the county, requested a state of emergency declaration. “We have families without power, significant property damage, and at least one