The city of Tempe now estimates that more than 1,000 homes and 83 businesses were damaged by the Oct. 13 microburst.
But officials still don’t know how many people were displaced by the storm two weeks ago.
Some people could be out of their homes for the long term, especially those who lived in apartment units that have been damaged.
The city has cleared over 600-tons of plant material that had been knocked over from the storm. A Tempe spokesperson says the public works department has been working 12-hour days, seven days a week clearing debris.
Monique Rodriguez is interim emergency manager with Tempe. She says the Red Cross was seeing hurricane level damage.
“Arizona as a whole is not ready for hurricane-type events, but we definitely started identifying the needs and being able to pull in those resources to start making things move along and get people the resources," Rodriguez said.
Congressman Greg Stanton, who represents Tempe’s district, recently visited a storm resource center and said officials are developing a case for FEMA assistance.
“We hope that the administration will quickly agree to that based upon the evidence that the citizens of Tempe are providing. And if so, then we can do a lot more long-term support for the residents here in Tempe," Stanton said.
-
A report from a consumer advocacy organization warns that hundreds of hospitals across the country are at risk of closure or reduced services — including eight in Arizona.
-
The company says the move will lower its operational costs and give it a more centralized location.
-
The city of Tempe is holding another round of public meetings to update its special events and parks and recreation codes.
-
But it was Tillman’s decision to walk away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer from the Cardinals to join the elite Army Rangers in the wake of the 9/11 attacks that defined his legacy.
-
Jalen lives and works here in Phoenix — he moved here about two and a half years ago. His conversation club is now in its fourth month — and Jalen takes it very seriously.