The most notorious natural events in Arizona history

Here are 10 of the most notorious natural events in Arizona history, from the deadly Yarnell Hill Fire to an epic Northern Arizona snowstorm.  

Extreme heat, drought, flash floods, and dust storms: Like any place, Arizona is subject to plenty of natural disasters. And like any place, the state has experienced some truly epic natural disasters.

We’ve rounded up some of the most deadly and notorious natural events in the history of Grand Canyon state. From a historic flash food in Antelope Canyon to a deadly wildfire, here are 10 of Arizona’s natural events that made a big impact.

Note: It’s important to be respectful of the fact that people did perish during some of these tragic events. Thankfully, many of these events often lead to better safety measures being implemented and help to create a safer world.  

1. Tropical Storm Norma 

Date: Sept. 4-5, 1970 

Tropical storm Norma (yes, those can happen in the Southwest) is widely reported to be the deadliest storm in the history of Arizona. In central Arizona, 23 people died, and 14 people died in a flash flood on Tonto Creek. Parts of Arizona were absolutely drenched. Rainfall totals were just less than 12 inches in Workman Creek, which is about 20 miles north of Globe. You can learn more about this tropical storm here. 

2. The Hottest Day in Phoenix Ever 

Date: June 26, 1990  

Despite the fact that Arizona summers keep getting hotter and hotter, the hottest day ever was recorded in 1990. Although this wasn’t necessarily deadly, we couldn’t write this article without mentioning the actual hottest day ever in Phoenix.

On June 26, 1990, it hit 122 degrees. About 20 flights were disrupted or delayed at Sky Harbor International Airport, and three people reportedly died. The Phoenix New Times ran an article about what it was like to live through the hottest day ever in the Valley’s history.

Heat is no joke here; it is suspected to have killed around 400 people in Arizona so far this year alone.  

3. Antelope Canyon Flash Flood 

Date: Aug. 12, 1997 

Page’s Antelope Canyon is renowned for its stunning sandstone canyon walls that seemingly change colors in the light. Due to its natural beauty and numerous photo ops, it is a popular tourist destination. But on Aug. 12, 1997, a tourist visit turned deadly.

A 40-foot wave swept through Lower Antelope Canyon and killed 11 tourists. Out of a group of 12 people, just one person survived. The group was swept away by four miles. The sole survivor, tour guide Pancho Quintana, wrote a memoir about his experiences. 

4. A Flagstaff Tornado Touches Down  

Date: Oct. 6, 2010 

Yes, tornados have touched down in Arizona. On Oct. 6, 2010, Arizona experienced its largest tornado outbreak ever. This was also the largest tornado outbreak west of the Continental Divide.

The National Weather Service put together an interactive map and photos of the damage; scroll to the bottom to see photos of the destruction. In one photo, you can see a semi-truck that was turned over in Bellemont, Arizona. In another, you can see numerous trees that were snapped in half in that same town. Baseball-sized hail fell from the sky in Cornville, which is located in Northern Arizona.  

5. Yarnell Hill Fire 

Date: June 28, 2013 

The Yarnell Hill Fire was a tragedy of epic proportions. On June 28, 2013, 19 wildland firefighters from Prescott perished in this fire that was started by dry lightning. The members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were overrun by the fire that ultimately burned a total of 8,400 acres. This was the country’s greatest loss of firefighters since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack and the greatest loss of wildland firefighters since 1933.

Today, you can pay tribute to the men who perished by visiting the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. You can hike to an overlook to see sweeping views of Yarnell and can even hike down to their final resting place. Read more about the Arizona state park here.

6. An Enormous Dust Storm or Haboob  

Date: July 5, 2011 

If you’ve lived in the Valley during the summer, you know that dust storms or haboobs are just part of the year’s hottest season. And on July 5, 2011, the largest recorded dust storm came roaring through town.

The size alone is staggering. It measured more than 6,000 feet high, was more than 100 miles long and traveled across 150 miles. The storm is thought to have started in Tuscon before it made its way to the Valley. Read more about this event on the National Weather Service’s website.

7. Hurricane Nora  

Dates: Sept. 25-26, 1997 

Yes, a hurricane also touched down in Arizona back in 1997. It’s thought that this was the strongest tropical storm to ever hit the state. Winds measuring 50 to 60 miles per hour were measured in Yuma. The city received about two to three inches of rain during the storm. Although that might not seem like much, Yuma typically only receives about three inches of rain per year.

Read more about this weather event here.

8. Historic Northern Arizona Snowstorm 

Dates: Dec. 12-20, 1967 

Over eight days in 1967, Flagstaff received a total of 86 inches of snow. Most of Northern Arizona was brought to a standstill as it was slammed with snow. Winslow (the city made famous by the Eagle’s iconic hit “Take it Easy”) received 39.6 inches of snow. In an average year, Winslow typically gets a little over 11 inches.

The Navajo Nation was especially affected by the storm. About two to three feet of snow fell, and a total of eight people died of exposure.  

9. Historic Low Temperature Recorded at Hawley Lake 

Date: Jan. 7, 1971  

Arizona receives plenty of headlines for its extreme heat, but the state also once measured a historic low temperature of 40 degrees below zero at Hawley Lake. The lake sits at 8,200 feet on White Mountain Apache tribal lands.  

10. Drought 

Dates: 1994 to now 

You’re probably aware that water is scarce in a state as arid as Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona has been in a state of drought since 1994. This past July was the second-hottest July on record. You can see the drought map here. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.