Yumans clean up after Thursday's fierce storm

As the sun rose Friday morning, many awaking Yumans caught their first clear glimpse of the major destruction brought by Thursday's severe thunderstorm.

The devastation was caused by wind gusts up to 60 mph, the National Weather Service reported.

Tropical storm strength winds are between 39 and 73 mph. Category 1 hurricanes begin at 74 mph.

Some locations in Yuma also experienced up to two inches of rainfall and three quarters of an inch of nickel-size hail, the weather service said.

The tropical storm strength winds created a corridor of destruction as the weather cell passed south through Yuma from California.

However the Yuma Police Department has not reported any storm-related injuries in the city limits.

Storm-related emergency calls for service included business and residential structural damage, flooding, downed trees, downed power lines, power outages, stalled vehicles and numerous alarm calls, YPD reported.

During the storm the city of Yuma established the Emergency Operations Center. The police, fire, public works, parks and recreation and community development building safety officials have been very active in assessing and responding to storm related damage, the city reported.

All over town large trees and tree branches were uprooted and lay strewn on top of cars, houses and in the middle of streets. Trees also crushed several brick walls.

A huge pine tree was ripped out of the ground and fell on a house at the corner of 8th Avenue and 10th Street and a large mesquite tree was even blocking an entire alleyway south of Alice Byrne Elementary School Saturday evening. Other roadways were also blocked by large fallen trees.

Entire carports, torn away from their foundations, came to rest wherever the wind blew them. Evidence of this can be seen on Youtube.com.

The roof of a self-serve car wash collapsed during the storm. Also, a roof on a home in the 1100 block of Appaloosa Lane was completely torn off of its rafters. You can see photos of this house and much more of the damage around Yuma county by checking out the Latest Slideshows section of YumaSun.com.

Automobiles did not escape damage either. There were several reports of broken windshields due to the flying debris, and dented metal due to the nickel-size hail.

The ceramic tiles on top of the entrance to El Charro Cafe, 601 West 8th Street, were severely damaged, while across the street at the old Foxworth Galbraith Hardware Store, entire structures collapsed and lay mangled on the ground where the outdoor lumber section had been.

Observers noted the destruction looked as if a tornado had passed through town.

A large billboard was also severely damaged and had to be removed by a crane along 4th Avenue near Mr. B's Bicycles.

Steel street signs were bent in half, street lights were hanging from their poles and large alley garbage cans were resting on their sides throughout the city's alleyways.

There was damage to several local schools including Yuma High School.

Also, an untold number of power lines collapsed when power poles snapped in two from the high winds and crashed to the ground, causing 16,660 APS customers to lose their power. As of about 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3,300 customers were still without power. An estimate as to when power would be completely restored was unavailable as of press time Friday.

The level of destruction was so widespread the city of Yuma is allowing contractors to make immediate repairs without seeking permits as part of a city emergency clause. Contractors will need to apply for the necessary permits beginning Monday for work they have completed over the weekend.

The city of Yuma Public Works has also established a “Green Waste” debris collection site at the south side of Kiwanis park, 8th Street and Magnolia Avenue. Residents can drop off any tree or vegetation debris at that site. Other types of debris or trash will not be accepted at this location.

The city of Yuma encourages the community to drive safely, obey posted traffic signs and be aware. Also, stay clear of downed power lines or other debris and report any possible natural gas leaks to the proper authorities. Leaking gas has a distinct rotten egg odor.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.