Heber‑Overgaard, AZ – An EF‑1 tornado with 110‑mph winds struck the small community of Heber‑Overgaard earlier this week, causing property damage estimated at about $20,000. Despite a formal request from state Rep. Walt Blackman and a local emergency declaration by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, Governor Katie Hobbs declined to issue a state‑wide emergency on Monday.
Local officials’ response
County Supervisor Chairman Daryl Seymour explained that a state emergency could unlock public‑assistance funds, primarily for road repairs and other infrastructure projects. “If there is any funds that become available because we have declared that state of emergency, we’d be able to be in line for that,” Seymour said.
Neighbors have already begun round‑the‑clock cleanup efforts, with some residents estimating that full restoration could take up to six months. “We’re working nonstop, but it will probably be more like six months or so,” one homeowner told reporters.
Why the governor said no
ASU assistant professor of emergency management Roni Fraser interpreted the governor’s decision as a judgment that the community’s unmet needs do not rise to the level required for a state declaration. “The decline of the emergency request essentially signals that the state or the governor’s office did not feel like there are enough unmet needs in the community,” Fraser said.
Fraser also clarified a common misconception: a state emergency does not automatically provide direct cash assistance to homeowners. “Most people think that if you get this approval, that it actually opens up what we call individual assistance, but it doesn’t. It would only open up the opportunity for what we call public assistance, which is really affecting like roads,” she explained.
Federal aid not being pursued
For homeowners to receive direct disaster aid, a federal disaster declaration from FEMA would be necessary. Seymour indicated that the county does not plan to seek such a declaration, noting that critical infrastructure remains intact. “Our roads are fine. Our infrastructure is fine. Our schools are fine. Our public buildings are fine. So when we look at everything that way, we feel that we are good,” he said.
State agencies on the ground
Governor Hobbs’ press secretary released a statement praising first‑responders and confirming that state agencies are actively supporting the recovery effort. The Department of Emergency Management and Arizona (DEMA) activated its State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1, embedding emergency managers in Navajo and neighboring Greenlee counties. The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Forestry and Fire Management coordinated wellness checks and damage surveys.
“Governor Hobbs is deeply grateful to the first responders who deployed swiftly to support the Heber‑Overgaard community. At the Governor’s direction, state agencies are on the ground and working directly with local officials to keep residents safe and support a rapid recovery,” the statement read.
What this means for residents
Without a state emergency, the community will rely on local resources and any voluntary assistance from state agencies. Public‑assistance programs may still be available for infrastructure repairs, but homeowners seeking direct financial relief will need to wait for a possible federal disaster declaration or pursue private insurance claims.
Local leaders remain optimistic that the recovery will proceed smoothly. “We have a strong community, and we’re confident we’ll get back on our feet,” Seymour added.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
