The Storm of 2010

Intense Weather Hits the White Mountains

Three storm system hits Rural Rim hard

01/03/10

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA indicated early this past week that the coming weather system positioned to pummel Arizona was the most significant weather event to hit our state in 10 years. This would certainly prove to be more than true and statistics show this was possibly the worst storm to hit our state in 17 years. The massive three storm system would drop a record number of rain and snow on the state, and specifically the White Mountains.

According to the Forest Lakes Home Owners Association, last Tuesday Forest Lakes received as much as 18 inches of snow over night, and all residents who had homes in the Valley were asked to leave. Those who had decided to ride out the storm were logged with the Forest Lakes Fire Department. Emergency patrols were sent out as often as possible and emergency communication procedures were established to ensure information could get out if radio or telephone services failed. This also became true of Navajo County as it made preparations for the worst.

As the storm’s outlook began to intensify, county and state agencies began to put together their resources. Navajo County declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning.

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors concluded a Special Meeting last Thursday morning resulting in Resolution 04-10 being approved in a 5-0 vote declaring a state of emergency in Navajo County as a result of the severe and dangerous weather system that was moving through the County.

Navajo County’s Assistant County Manager/Emergency Manager, Dusty Parsons provided the Board with an update on the weather situation and information on its potential impact on communities and residents throughout the County. “This is a severe storm system that expected to continue for the next several days and could cause severe snow and flooding emergencies in the county,” Parsons explained.

With the declaration of emergency, Navajo County’s Emergency Operations Center was activated to a full Level 1 activation to provide available resources to the citizens of Navajo County. Navajo County’s Emergency Management team had been meeting and working with local communities and emergency responders to prepare and provide necessary resources in the event this action was to be taken. Board Chairman Jesse Thompson stated that it was a very dangerous storm. “This declaration of emergency reflects the County’s commitment to fulfill its responsibility to protect and assist our residents at this time.”

With five other counties also declaring emergencies, Governor Jan Brewer signed a Declaration of Emergency that same evening in response to the severe weather storms that were striking Arizona. This declaration released $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Funds (via the State General Fund) to pay for emergency responses and recovery expenses from the weather events.

In addition, the Governor called for activation of the State Emergency Operations Center which took place 5:00 p.m. that evening. The State Emergency Operations Center provided coordination and direction for all state emergency response activities to assist in the protection of life and property within Arizona. The State Emergency Operations Center, located at the Papago Park Military Reservation, 5636 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, is under the direction of Lou Trammell, Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.

Governor Brewer is authorized under state statute to declare a state of emergency. Statute allows the Governor to release an initial expenditure of $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Funds, which currently contains $2.7 million. Additional expenditures may be authorized as warranted by a majority of the state’s emergency council, consisting of the Governor and 11 other elected and designated voting members.

A variety of agencies assisted in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) that included the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and the Arizona National Guard.

The governor had a total of 56 Guard members deployed to communities in Northern Arizona in the case of evacuations. This massive storm would also take a toll on a wide stretch of our state. Phoenix roads would become submerged and several people would need assistance. Flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were delayed and several communities did in fact have to be evacuated including Windom, and part of Sedona. Power outages plagued residents and businesses alike and there were several buildings whose roofs would collapse under the weight of the snow. This would include multiple businesses in Flagstaff and the Pinetop Fire Department roof over the equipment bay.

Forest lakes saw in many places as much as 5 to 6 feet of snow, and Heber-Overgaard got as much as three and a half.

There were several shelters set up and available, in Heber-Overgaard the Mogollon Complex was offered as part of state and county relief, but the Heber-Overgaard Fire Department was also set up and ready to assist in whatever capacity possible. Although across the state there was some serious damage and unimaginable tragedy, here in the White Mountains, residents are taking the time to enjoy the weather and have some fun in the snow. For the most part, Rim communities have been limitedly affected by power outages. However, there are two more snow systems moving in this week. There will be one on Wednesday, and another this coming weekend. Please be safe and remember a few rules:

It is a good idea to prepare for yourself and pets by having enough supplies to last for a few days. Remember, as we have seen with this storm, if snow accumulation is significant, it is best to remain at home as roadways will be cleared based on predefined categories with main arterial routes as the first priority.

It is recommended that medication and other medical supplies, i.e. oxygen are filled immediately to last at least several days. If problems occur or you experience a power outage, it may be in your best interest to take shelter at a designated facility. If facilities are needed, their locations will be identified on Navajo County’s Hotline, website and radio announcements.

Lastly, designate one family member outside of the area who knows where you will be at all times. Also, remember to keep your cell phone charged and a traditional land-line telephone.

You are encouraged to keep abreast weather by listening to locally broadcasted news and weather or by calling Navajo County’s Emergency Management Hotline at 928-524-4200, option 3. Weather and other emergency services information is also available on a feed at our website mogollonconnection.com, or directly at the County’s website www.navajocountyaz.gov.

The National Weather Service forecast information at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/


	The Storm of 2010 Intense Weather Hits the White Mountains Three storm system hits Rural Rim hard 01/03/10 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA indicated early this past week that the coming weather system positioned to pummel Arizona was the most significant weather event to hit our state in 10 years. This would certainly prove to be more than true and statistics show this was possibly the worst storm to hit our state in 17 years. The massive three storm system would drop a record number of rain and snow on the state, and specifically the White Mountains. According to the Forest Lakes Home Owners Association, last Tuesday Forest Lakes received as much as 18 inches of snow over night, and all residents who had homes in the Valley were asked to leave. Those who had decided to ride out the storm were logged with the Forest Lakes Fire Department. Emergency patrols were sent out as often as possible and emergency communication procedures were established to ensure information could get out if radio or telephone services failed. This also became true of Navajo County as it made preparations for the worst. As the storm’s outlook began to intensify, county and state agencies began to put together their resources. Navajo County declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning. The Navajo County Board of Supervisors concluded a Special Meeting last Thursday morning resulting in Resolution 04-10 being approved in a 5-0 vote declaring a state of emergency in Navajo County as a result of the severe and dangerous weather system that was moving through the County. Navajo County’s Assistant County Manager/Emergency Manager, Dusty Parsons provided the Board with an update on the weather situation and information on its potential impact on communities and residents throughout the County. “This is a severe storm system that expected to continue for the next several days and could cause severe snow and flooding emergencies in the county,” Parsons explained. With the declaration of emergency, Navajo County’s Emergency Operations Center was activated to a full Level 1 activation to provide available resources to the citizens of Navajo County. Navajo County’s Emergency Management team had been meeting and working with local communities and emergency responders to prepare and provide necessary resources in the event this action was to be taken. Board Chairman Jesse Thompson stated that it was a very dangerous storm. “This declaration of emergency reflects the County’s commitment to fulfill its responsibility to protect and assist our residents at this time.” With five other counties also declaring emergencies, Governor Jan Brewer signed a Declaration of Emergency that same evening in response to the severe weather storms that were striking Arizona. This declaration released $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Funds (via the State General Fund) to pay for emergency responses and recovery expenses from the weather events. In addition, the Governor called for activation of the State Emergency Operations Center which took place 5:00 p.m. that evening. The State Emergency Operations Center provided coordination and direction for all state emergency response activities to assist in the protection of life and property within Arizona. The State Emergency Operations Center, located at the Papago Park Military Reservation, 5636 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, is under the direction of Lou Trammell, Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. Governor Brewer is authorized under state statute to declare a state of emergency. Statute allows the Governor to release an initial expenditure of $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Funds, which currently contains $2.7 million. Additional expenditures may be authorized as warranted by a majority of the state’s emergency council, consisting of the Governor and 11 other elected and designated voting members. A variety of agencies assisted in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) that included the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and the Arizona National Guard. The governor had a total of 56 Guard members deployed to communities in Northern Arizona in the case of evacuations. This massive storm would also take a toll on a wide stretch of our state. Phoenix roads would become submerged and several people would need assistance. Flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were delayed and several communities did in fact have to be evacuated including Windom, and part of Sedona. Power outages plagued residents and businesses alike and there were several buildings whose roofs would collapse under the weight of the snow. This would include multiple businesses in Flagstaff and the Pinetop Fire Department roof over the equipment bay. Forest lakes saw in many places as much as 5 to 6 feet of snow, and Heber-Overgaard got as much as three and a half. There were several shelters set up and available, in Heber-Overgaard the Mogollon Complex was offered as part of state and county relief, but the Heber-Overgaard Fire Department was also set up and ready to assist in whatever capacity possible. Although across the state there was some serious damage and unimaginable tragedy, here in the White Mountains, residents are taking the time to enjoy the weather and have some fun in the snow. For the most part, Rim communities have been limitedly affected by power outages. However, there are two more snow systems moving in this week. There will be one on Wednesday, and another this coming weekend. Please be safe and remember a few rules: It is a good idea to prepare for yourself and pets by having enough supplies to last for a few days. Remember, as we have seen with this storm, if snow accumulation is significant, it is best to remain at home as roadways will be cleared based on predefined categories with main arterial routes as the first priority. It is recommended that medication and other medical supplies, i.e. oxygen are filled immediately to last at least several days. If problems occur or you experience a power outage, it may be in your best interest to take shelter at a designated facility. If facilities are needed, their locations will be identified on Navajo County’s Hotline, website and radio announcements. Lastly, designate one family member outside of the area who knows where you will be at all times. Also, remember to keep your cell phone charged and a traditional land-line telephone. You are encouraged to keep abreast weather by listening to locally broadcasted news and weather or by calling Navajo County’s Emergency Management Hotline at 928-524-4200, option 3. Weather and other emergency services information is also available on a feed at our website mogollonconnection.com, or directly at the County’s website www.navajocountyaz.gov. The National Weather Service forecast information at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/