Storm knocks out power to Yuma area

Emergency crews continue to clean up from the storm that blasted through Yuma last night, with emergency crews responding to issues ranging from damage to homes and fallen trees to downed power lines and widespread power outages.

Sustained winds up to 55 m.p.h. and gusts up to 84 m.p.h. were recorded by the National Weather Service and Accuweather.

"Those are hurricane-force winds," said Carl Erickson, a meteorologist with Accuweather. "Anywhere in the United States, not just Yuma, it's pretty amazing to have winds like that. You don't see that too often."

The storm dropped 1.79 inches of rain between 12:25 and 2 a.m., according to both weather agencies. Yuma traditionally receives about 3.02 inches of rain annually.

"Over half of the normal precipitation for the year fell in that short period of time," Erickson said, putting the rainfall into context.

No major injuries had been reported to Yuma Police Department as of early Sunday morning, according to spokesman Officer Clint Norred.

The American Red Cross turned Gwyneth Ham Elementary School on 22nd Street

into a temporary shelter this morning as a place to cool off for people who lost electricity in the storm.

The Red Cross and Yuma Fire Department offered bottled water, snacks, and medical aid, while APS gave out dry ice for refrigerators without power.

Only about 12 people took shelter at the school, however, according to Tom Evans, a Red Cross spokesman sent from Phoenix to help with storm relief.

Evans predicted that the shelter would be closed by 2 p.m. People needing help for the rest of the day are being directed to Yuma Fire Department Station #2, located at 3284 S. Avenue A.

The storm appeared to have struck southern Yuma the hardest, with damage reports being heard the most between Pacific Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

“We got hammered pretty good. We've got poles down and walls down," Yuma Fire Department spokesman Mike Erfert said.

An official with the Yuma County Sheriff's Department confirmed that last night's storm focused mostly on Yuma itself. Sgt. Robert Oberosler said the department hasn't received any storm-related calls from other parts of the county.

Shortly after midnight, a heavy thunderstorm moved through the Yuma area. Yuma Police Department responded to more than 120 emergency calls for service between midnight and 3 a.m., most of which were storm related. Yuma Fire Department responded to more than 60 emergency calls for service during that time.

Reports of downed power poles, trees, and power lines, along with arcing lines, transformer, and pole fires were received from various locations in the city.

During the height of the storm up to 9,600 APS customers were without power, according to Donna Phipps, APS spokeswoman. As of 9 a.m. 600 customers remained in the dark.

"This monsoon storm was real tough. It hit 11 different areas of town," Phipps said. "The affected areas are scattered all over the place. I have a list here that would choke you."

By early Sunday evening 400 APS customers remained without power, according to Steven Gotfried, another APS spokesman. Gotfried said these ongoing outages were scattered around Yuma and could not confirm a section of town hardest hit. He said crews were working quickly, but he could not confirm if power would be restored for everyone by Monday morning.

Local APS officials have called in crews from Parker, Casa Grande, and Phoenix to assist in the storm recovery. Phipps explained that demands are simply great, plus workers have already been on the job for so many hours at this point.

"Our crews have been out all night long," she said Sunday morning. "They can only work so many hours for their own safety."

Power outages were reported this morning in various locations ranging from Avenue B to Pacific Avenue and from 16th Street in the city, south to County 16th Street.

Officials stress that residents should treat intersections with out-of-service traffic control lights as if they were controlled by four-way stop signs.

Phone service was interrupted at 1:23 a.m. for a portion of Yuma, but Qwest officials say service was mostly restored by 3:30 a.m.

"We didn't get a lot of (complaints) last night because most people were probably sleeping during that time," said Jeff Mirasola, a Qwest spokesman.

Mirasola said few - if any - customers should be without phone service as of late morning Sunday.

"The system does come back slowly, however," he added.

The city fire department warns motorists to never drive into flooded streets and washes. Officials also stress to avoid the urge to go sightseeing during storms, visibility is reduced, debris may be in roads, and downed power lines may be live.

Erickson with Accuweather said that Sunday shouldn't get as hot as Saturday, but will still likely reach at least 109 degrees. Emergency officials say that are concerned that people without power some how keep cool.

Erickson did give the good news that a second storm hitting Yuma in the next few days is quite unlikely. He said there is a small chance that some areas might experience thunderstorms, but with very little chance of strong winds or rain.

"The chances for a storm will decrease as each day passes," the meteorologist said. "The atmosphere is already drying out."