Rare tornado threat grips Arizona as monster hail smashes cars and storms threaten flooding

Warnings across Arizona

The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings in parts of Arizona on Wednesday, including severe thunderstorm alerts. The storms brought hail about the size of golf balls, along with powerful wind gusts.

Several regions were placed under tornado watches as the unusual system moved through the state. Ryan Bernhart, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Flagstaff, said conditions were unusual for the area and time of year.

Trees toppled by winds

Wind brought down trees in Mesa and Flagstaff, with debris landing on carports and walls. In Coconino National Forest, northwest of Flagstaff, several dozen ponderosa pines fell. Bernhart said the fallen trees were substantial and sturdy. The damage followed severe gusts across central and northern Arizona.

Flooding risk near Phoenix

The storm system brought both tornado concerns and potential flooding to the region. The tornado watches marked Arizona’s first advisories of that kind since October 6, 2010.