A year ago today, Tempe experienced an event similar to a hurricane with over 90 mph winds, flash floods and hundreds of fallen trees that caused millions of dollars in damage.
One year after the microburst event, Mayor Corey Woods and other officials from the city reflected on the events and how it led to the destruction to some parts of the city, but said he was grateful to see the city prevail.
“The most heartwarming part of all of it is that first there were no injuries, but also that everyone came together to make sure that we could recover and take care of their fellow neighbors,” Woods said in a press conference at the Tempe Fire Administration Building.
Woods said the storm was the worst in the city’s history, and that federal and state partners assisted with cleanup and recovery, making it easier on some residents.
“It really was a true team effort,” he said.
Monique Rodriguez, emergency manager for the city, said there were over 100 tons of debris and fallen trees that were removed following the event and that there were many people displaced.
“We realized very quickly that many people had their lives upturned. They didn’t have places to stay. They didn’t have access to food, water or clothing so we had local partners step in to help,” she said.
The U.S. Small Business Administration stepped in to help homeowners and business owners repair their properties with loans.
The Independent spoke with Tempe resident Angela Frescholtz, who was working from home with her daughter last year when the storm hit and a tree fell on her roof.
Frescholtz and many others sustained damage to their homes and were given a loan from the SBA to assist with repairs. City officials estimate over $1 million in assistance was given to applicants from Maricopa County.
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