Damage at the Phoenix Zoo after a microburst on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
The Phoenix Zoo is finally re-opening its doors Friday after extending its closure following Monday’s destructive microburst.
That storm downed trees and left mud and debris in its wake.
A spokesperson says the Mexican wolf habitat is still blocked off, but other areas are open and accessible.
The damage is estimated to have cost $300,000, which includes loss of revenue during the closure. The zoo is asking for donations to its recovery fund.
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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Damage from a microburst in Tempe on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
City of Tempe
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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Storm damage on University Drive in Tempe on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Emily Mai/KJZZ
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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Damage from a microburst in Tempe on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
City of Tempe
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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In Tempe, a microburst and thunderstorm on Oct. 13, 2025, dropped about a half-inch of rain within 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Ryan Glazar/KJZZ
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Flooding in Tempe on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
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Damage at the Phoenix Zoo after a microburst on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Phoenix Zoo
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Damage at the Phoenix Zoo after a microburst on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Phoenix Zoo
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Damage at the Phoenix Zoo after a microburst on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Phoenix Zoo
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Damage at the Phoenix Zoo after a microburst on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo statement
The Mexican wolf habitat pathway is still blocked off as the concrete needs to be replaced. This is a small portion on a dead-end pathway of the Arizona Trail, but all other areas of the trail are open and accessible.
ZooLights 50-foot-tall tree is being maneuvered to the shoreline this morning and then cranes will upright it, lifting it to shore to assess damage. This does not impact guests.
Temperatures in the Valley are projected to reach the mid- to upper 70s later in the week, which the National Weather Service said is well above what he would expect this time of year.
KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.