After Tempe’s ‘extreme microburst,’ city details damage, next steps

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Tempe leaders provided an update on Monday’s monsoon damage and what steps the city is taking in cleanup and restoration efforts.

“Obviously, this is a very challenging day,” said Tempe City Mayor Corey Woods in a news conference Tuesday morning alongside other city officials.

The mayor called the weather event an “extreme microburst.”

“At one point, an estimated 22,000 people lost power, and well over 130 people were displaced,” Woods said.

Tempe Fire Medical Asst. Chief Tony Butch says crews responded to 180 incidents over a three-hour window, marking a 50% increase in calls compared to an average day.

He said first responders were called to downed trees, flooding, fire alarms and medical calls, while also working to identify “critical zones” of damage.

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