Heber‑Overgaard, AZ – On Wednesday evening several families in the Heber‑Overgaard area voiced concerns that the wireless emergency alert (WEA) warning of a tornado reached them later than expected, limiting the time they had to protect themselves.
Timeline of the warning and the storm
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Phoenix note that, on average, tornado warnings are issued 8 to 15 minutes before a weather event reaches the public. In this case, NWS meteorologist Mark O’Malley said the agency’s warning was transmitted at 7:02 p.m., but cell‑phone carriers need a few minutes to push the alert to devices.
Resident Courtney Shull reported that the alert popped up on her phone at 7:04 p.m. while she was at home with her two children. “I did not feel prepared at all,” Shull said. “I couldn’t even click on the link to read any further details, so I hurried up and grabbed my kids, my daughter was sleeping.”
Three minutes later, a call from Navajo County officials instructed Shull to find an interior room. She and her family took shelter in a bathroom, huddling with their 100‑pound dog. “We just locked in there and again we had no service, so I had no way to check and see if it hit, is it passed, like are we safe to come out,” Shull explained.
When the tornado touched down
Determining the exact touchdown time is difficult. The local fire district estimates the tornado struck between 7:15 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. The first 911 call reporting the event came in at 7:18 p.m., giving nearby residents roughly ten minutes of notice after the alert was first issued.
Shull said her home was about a mile to a mile and a half from the tornado’s path. “Thankfully where we’re at, we’re about a mile, mile and a half away from where it touched down,” she said.
After‑effects and community response
Shull waited more than thirty minutes before she could call her mother to confirm the danger had passed. “I will be more prepared today. I’ve already got my bathroom all set up,” she added.
The fire district also reported that the first 911 call involved downed power lines, with additional calls about a possible injured person arriving ten minutes later.
Separately, the NWS disclosed that a website used by first responders for storm information has been decommissioned after a hack. While the site is offline, first responders will continue to receive alerts on their phones, and the agency is working on a replacement solution.
What residents can do
Local officials encourage residents to familiarize themselves with the WEA system, keep phones charged, and designate a safe interior space in advance. The NWS continues to refine its alert timing and delivery methods to give communities the maximum possible warning.
For more information on tornado safety and how to prepare your home, visit the National Weather Service website or contact Navajo County emergency management.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
