Power Outage in Yuma, AZ

Numerous images of microburst wind damage in the Fortuna Foothills area. Trees were uprooted, brick walls toppled, sheet metal carports destroyed, shingles of roofs were ripped off, downed power poles including a wooden pole that snapped and fell on a carport, a semi-truck trailer flipped on its side, broken window, a garage door blown in, and many other minor damages. The damage may have been caused by multiple microbursts. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.

A shed was blown into nearby power lines, causing a power pole to come down. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

Power poles were reported down near 12th Street and Pacific Avenue. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

Power poles were reported down in Hyder near Palomas Road. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

An image showed approximately five downed power poles in Dome Valley near County 8th Street and Avenue 20 E. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.

Nine power poles were knocked down/damaged near 801 E 32nd Street in Yuma. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated between 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.

Social media image showed several power poles and lines downed on County 14th Street between Avenues A and B. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated between 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.

A strong dust devil developed and moved northward in an urbanized sector of Fortuna Foothills just east of Yuma, causing extensive property damage. There were social media images of roofs torn off, roofing tiles blown off, a brick wall collapsing, trees uprooted and massive debris hitting power lines, knocking power out to 2022 customers. The dust devil tracked northward between 10E and 36th Street and South Payson Drive to South Fontage Road near I-8. No injuries were reported.

Isolated thunderstorms developed across the southwest deserts, to the northeast of Yuma and to the east of the lower Colorado River valley, during the evening hours on September 4th. The stronger storms generated very powerful outflow winds; a relatively nearby mesonet gage near the Middle Mountains measured a gust to 68 mph at 1912MST. According to a report from the public, at 1936MST winds gusts estimated to be as high as 70 mph blew down 7 power poles in the Yuma Proving Grounds about 26 miles northwest of the town of Ligurta. Numerous additional poles were bent over and leaning at an angle in the proving grounds. There were no reports of injuries fortunately.

Scattered thunderstorms developed in the city of Yuma during the afternoon hours on September 8th, and one of the stronger storms produced gusty and damaging microburst winds estimated to be as high as 70 mph. According to the local APS utility company and relayed through a trained weather spotter, gusty microburst winds downed 9 power poles at the Yuma Palms Mall. Some of the downed poles trapped people in their cars; fortunately no injuries were reported.

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southwestern Yuma county during the afternoon hours on September 8th, and some of them affected the downtown Yuma area. Due to elevated moisture and instability values, the stronger storms produced damaging microburst winds with gusts estimated as high as 70 mph. According to a report from a local utility company, damaging microburst winds downed 43 power poles just north of the Yuma International Airport, between Avenues 1E and 3E. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was not yet in effect, but a Significant Weather Advisory had been issued for the Yuma area when the power poles were blown down.

Thunderstorms developed across southwest Arizona during the afternoon hours on August 21st, and some of them affected the community of Yuma. The stronger storms produced gusty and damaging outflow winds estimated to be at least 60 mph at times. According to an amateur radio operator, multiple power lines were downed in town between 1645MST and 1700MST. As reported by the Yuma Fire Department, there were downed power lines at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and 26th Street. The amateur radio operator also indicated that street lights were off across the city of Yuma, due to the downed power lines.

Thunderstorms developed across far southwest Arizona during the afternoon hours on August 22nd and they affected the community of Yuma. The storms produced strong, gusty and damaging winds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph. A trained weather spotter 2 miles northwest of Yuma reported that power lines were blown down near Interstate 8, approximately at the intersection of Araby Street. In addition, a trailer truck was blown over at Araby Street and East 24th Street. Although a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was not in effect, there was a Significant Weather Advisory issued at 1700MST for Yuma which ran until 1800MST.

A cluster of slow moving and very intense thunderstorms developed across far southwest Arizona during the afternoon hours on September 9th, and they affected the city of Yuma as well as surrounding communities such as Fortuna Foothills. The storms developed strong, gusty and damaging microburst winds measured in excess of 60 mph. According to a trained weather spotter in the Fortuna Foothills, Interstate 8 was closed from Avenue 3E to Foothills Boulevard due to downed power lines. The closure took place at 515 pm. In addition, an amatuer radio operator 7 miles east of Yuma reported power lines down at 510 pm. The winds that blew down the power lines were estimated to be at least 60 mph. There were no reports of power poles blown down, however.

Isolated thunderstorms developed in the area around Yuma during the afternoon hours on August 12th. Due to the excessive heat and the relatively dry character of the atmosphere, the storms were able to generate strong, gusty and damaging microburst winds. According to a trained weather spotter, at 428 pm wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 knots caused 6 power poles to be blown down near county 6th Street and Avenue 18E. This location was approximately 4 miles east of Kinter.

An upper level low pressure system moved south and into southwest Arizona during the afternoon and evening on May 7th, and some mid level moisture moved in with the upper low. The atmosphere became unstable, and virga showers developed in the Yuma area shortly after midnight. Strong and gusty winds developed in the vicinity of the virga, estimated to be in excess of 50 knots. According to the Yuma Police, at 140 AM on the 8th, 14 power poles were downed at County 14th Street and Avenue 2E in the Tierra Mesa subdivision. In addition, fence and barn roof damage was reported near County 16th Street and Avenue A. There was no indication of thunderstorms in the Yuma area overnight, and no lightning was observed. However, the atmospheric conditions allowed the gusty winds to take on the characteristics of a damaging microburst.

Scattered strong thunderstorms moved across the community of Yuma during the late evening hours on August 27th. The storms produced gusty and damaging winds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph. According to Yuma law enforcement personnel, numerous large trees and power poles were blown down across the city. No injuries were reported due to the damaging winds.

Strong thunderstorm downburst winds knocked down several power poles 8 miles east of the Yuma Proving Ground. The winds were measured at 55 kt. Locally heavy rain occurred with the storms; 0.70 inches of rain was measured.

About 30 power poles were snapped by strong microburst winds, estimated in excess of 60 kt. APS reported up to 16,660 customers were without power at the height of the storm. Many of the poles were downed in the area bounded by Avenue B to the west, 4th Avenue to the east, the Colorado River to the north, and 12th street to the south.

Power outage reported by Wellton Irrigation District lasted about 4 hours. Dome had a power outage beginning at 2:30 pm, lasting about 3 hours. Trees were uprooted and power poles were damaged.

Thunderstorm winds created a huge dust storm that affected much of the Yuma area with near zero visibility. Wind speeds were estimated to be over 60 mph, with consderable damage to property. At least one home was damaged, with trees and power lines downed by strong winds. During the peak of the storm, 5,200 customers were without power. The Yuma airport recorded a peak gust of 48 mph just before 5 PM.

Two power poles downed by strong winds at Avenue A and 3rd street in Yuma. Also, an awning was damaged on a home in southwest Yuma.

Two power poles downed by strong winds at Avenue A and 3rd street in Yuma. Also, an awning was damaged on a home in southwest Yuma.

Somerton police reported power lines down due to very strong winds from thunderstorms. At the peak of the storm, between 2,500 and 3,000 APS customers were without power. A large tree in the 3300 block of 15th Avenue in The Dunes subdivision was knocked down. Power outages were also reported on the Cocopah Reservation at County 18th Street and Avenue D and in the north end of the city of Yuma.

Trees were uprooted and a semi trailer was turned over. A peak gust of 57 mph was measured at the Yuma airport. About 1,000 APS customers were left without power due to these thunderstorm winds. Power poles were blown down in the Mohawk area.

Strong and gusty winds, along with heavy rain rolled through parts of Yuma and San Luis. Arizona Public Service reported 26 power poles were knocked down in San Luis with seven main lines impacted. Trees were uprooted and caused property damage. At the Yuma airport, winds were clocked at 44 mph.

About 1000 APS customers were left without power after heavy rains triggered fires to equipment on 15 power poles.

Numerous trees and as many as 11 power poles reported down due to strong winds. Peak gusts to 84 mph were recorded at the Yuma airport. Arizona Public Service reported about 9,600 people were left without power Sunday morning. Yuma Police responded to more than 120 emergency calls for service, most of which were storm related. Numerous eyewitnesses described the area around the 100 block of West 27th Place as the worst-hit section of town. Condos in that area had considerable roof damage with ceilings collapsing onto living rooms and dining rooms. Large hail and localized flooding was also reported in Yuma.

Numerous trees and as many as 11 power poles reported down due to strong winds. Peak gusts to 84 mph were recorded at the Yuma airport. Arizona Public Service reported about 9,600 people were left without power Sunday morning. Yuma Police responded to more than 120 emergency calls for service, most of which were storm related. Numerous eyewitnesses described the area around the 100 block of West 27th Place as the worst-hit section of town. Condos in that area had considerable roof damage with ceilings collapsing onto living rooms and dining rooms. Large hail and localized flooding was also reported in Yuma.

Power lines down and some equipment damaged by strong winds.

Utility power lines downed by strong winds.

Trees and utility power poles were blown down by storm winds. Arizona Public Service Company reported 30 power poles were blown down.

Power poles down.

About 34 power poles down near County Road 13 leaving 1,000 customers without power.

Power poles down at Ave 45E and County 5th.

Winds associated with thunderstorms damaged roofs and carports. Power was knocked out in parts of the Yuma Foothills area. Small hail was also reported with these thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms moved westward across parts of Yuma County after 6 pm. Strong winds and dense blowing dust resulted across much of Yuma, with tree limbs blowing down onto power lines. At the Yuma Proving Ground, winds were clocked at 52 mph at 8 pm.

A vigorous low pressure system along the California coast helped trigger thunderstorms with strong and gusty wind. Widespread power outages were reported after approximately 20 main power poles were blown down. As many as 6,900 APS customers were left without power.

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts blew down electric power poles.

High instability (MUCAPE 2,000 J/kg) and high DCAPE values around 1,500 J/kg allowed for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and produce isolated damaging winds in Yuma County. Several downed power poles were reported in Dome Valley. No injuries were reported.

A strong dust devil developed and moved in an urbanized sector of Fortuna Foothills just east of Yuma, causing extensive property damage. There were social media images of roofs torn off, roofing tiles blown off, brick wall collapsing, trees uprooted, and massive debris hitting power lines, knocking power out to 2022 customers. No injuries were reported.

Isolated monsoon thunderstorms developed across the southwestern deserts during the evening hours on September 4th and some of them affected areas to the northeast of Yuma and east of the lower Colorado River valley. The storms produced weather hazards typical of monsoon storms; gusty and damaging outflow winds and locally heavy rainfall. Heavy rains produced an episode of flash flooding; at 2022MST a mesonet gage reported a 9 foot rise in water in an unnamed wash in the Yuma Proving Ground. A bit earlier, at 1912MST, another mesnet gage in the proving ground measured a gust to 68 mph. Additionally, strong winds blew over 7 power poles and bent numerous others in the same proving grounds, about 26 miles northwest of Ligurta. No injuries were reported as a result of the strong winds.

Scattered thunderstorms developed in the Yuma area during the afternoon hours on September 8th and they brought typical albeit somewhat garden-variety hazards to the area. Moderate hail, heavy rain and gusty and damaging winds were all present; strong storms in Somerton produced hail with a diameter of one half inch and heavy rain in west Yuma led to street flooding. One of the strongest storms produced damaging microburst winds that downed 9 power poles at the Yuma Palms Mall and some people were trapped in their cars due to the downed poles. This occurred at 1545MST. At roughly the same time, and about one mile further east, multiple trees were reported downed as well. No injuries were reported fortunately. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued shortly thereafter, at 1607MST.

Thunderstorms developed across portions of Yuma and La Paz Counties during the afternoon hours on August 3rd and some of the stronger storms affected the area east of Yuma, along Interstate 8 through the town of Tacna. Isolated strong storms produced gusty and damaging microburst winds that downed a number of power poles in the area around Tacna and further westward along Interstate 8. Additionally, some of the gusty outflow winds produced trailer damage to structures in the town of Tacna. No injuries were reported due to the strong winds. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was not in effect at the time of the damage. Further to the north, at 1500MST, microburst winds 7 miles south of Quartzsite damaged several sheds and a trailer as well as an off-road vehicle.

Thunderstorms developed across the far southwest deserts during the afternoon hours on August 19th, and some of the stronger storms generated gusty outflow winds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph. The gusty outflow winds impacted the town of Wellton, located to the east of Yuma along the Interstate 8 corridor. The strong winds downed a number of power lines and led to a power outage in town. No injuries were reported due to the downed power lines.

Moisture had started to increase across portions of southwest Arizona on September 8th ahead of Hurricane Linda, which was still well off to the south of Arizona. The ample amounts of moisture combined with elevated instability and upper level wind values allowed for scattered thunderstorms to form over southwest Arizona during the afternoon and evening hours. Some of the storms generated gusty and damaging winds around Yuma, sufficient to down trees and power poles. During the evening hours, very heavy rainfall developed in Yuma; a spotter report in Somerton indicated that over 4 and one half inches fell within a 2 hour period. The heavy rain led to evening flash flooding and flooding across western Yuma county, affecting the towns of Yuma and Somerton. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the flash flooding.

Strong thunderstorms developed across the southwestern Arizona deserts during the afternoon hours on July 19th, and they produced gusty and damaging outflow winds. Some of the strongest damage was reported in the areas near Roll and Tacna, along the Interstate 8 corridor. One factor that exacerbated the damage in the area was strong outflow winds that moved into the area from early afternoon storms over eastern Imperial county. The strong eastward moving outflow interacted with storms in the Dome Valley area, and those storms then moved along Interstate 8 and into the Roll and Tacna areas. Winds were reported to be upwards of 70 mph. The winds caused significant damage to trees, power poles, roofs and buildings. No injuries were reported due to the damaging winds.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms developed off and on during the afternoon and early evening hours across southwest Arizona on August 21st and some of them affected the community of Yuma. The stronger thunderstorms generated gusty and damaging microburst winds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph. The winds were strong enough to down multiple power lines in Yuma. In addition to the wind, large hail was reported on the Yuma Proving Ground. No injuries were reported due to the strong damaging wind.

Thunderstorms developed across portions of southwest Arizona during the afternoon hours on July 5th, and they affected both Yuma and La Paz counties, including the community of Yuma. The storms produced gusty and damaging outflow winds in excess of 50 mph, which were sufficient to blow down power poles. The storms also produced locally heavy rainfall which led to significant flooding in the community of Ligurta. The heavy rain also led to the issuance of Small Stream Flood Advisories as well as Flash Flood Warnings.

Thunderstorms developed across portions of far southwest Arizona during the afternoon hours on August 22nd, and they affected the community of Yuma, as well as surrounding communities such as Fortuna Foothills and Somerton. The thunderstorms were quite intense and produced a wide variety of weather, including strong damaging winds in excess of 50 mph, locally dense blowing dust, moderate hail and locally heavy rain. Winds were sufficient to blow down power lines and blow over trailer trucks. Hail nearly one inch in diameter fell in Yuma, and rainfall in the Fortuna Foothills approached 2 inches, leading to localized flooding. A wide variety of products were issued including Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisories.

A slow moving cluster of intense thunderstorms developed across far southwestern Arizona during the afternoon hours on September 9th, and they affected the city of Yuma as well as surrounding communities such as Somerton and Fortuna Foothills. Due to the very humid and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms generated strong, gusty and damaging microburst winds well in excess of 60 mph. The gusty winds were sufficient to down power lines and tree limbs. Three separate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for the area around Yuma, due both to the slow movement and continued regeneration of the severe thunderstorms. No injuries were reported due to the severe weather.

Isolated thunderstorms developed near Yuma during the afternoon hours on the 12th. Due to the excessive heat and relatively dry nature of the atmosphere, the storms were able to generated strong and gusty outflow winds. The winds were strong enough to down a number of power poles near Kinter, to the northeast of Yuma.

An low pressure system moved south into southwestern Arizona during the evening hours on May 7th, and triggered some high-based convection in the Yuma area. Despite the lack of thunderstorms in the area - no lightning was observed - virga showers developed and they led to gusty surface winds which were strong enough to knock over 14 power poles. Microburst winds developed despite the seeming lack of any thunderstorms.

Thunderstorm winds took down power poles in Yuma and San Luis.