The storms behind Arizona wind claims
The National Weather Service treats June 15 through September 30 as Arizona’s monsoon season. Moisture surges north, afternoon storms build over the Mogollon Rim and the mountains around Tucson, and outflow collapses downhill into the valleys. Microbursts concentrated over a few neighborhoods regularly produce wind gusts strong enough to peel roofing and uproot trees.
Dust storms are the visible signature. The July 5, 2011 haboob that rolled across metro Phoenix became a national news story, and smaller walls of dust arrive most summers. Wind-driven dust and rain then find every gap in a damaged roof or window.
Arizona sees fewer tornadoes than the Plains, but they do occur. Several touched down near Bellemont, west of Flagstaff, in October 2010.
What monsoon claims usually include
- Lifted or broken roof tile, torn shingles and stripped foam coating.
- Collapsed or leaning block and slump-block walls.
- Ramadas, pergolas, shade sails, carports and patio covers.
- Solar panels, racking and wiring moved or cracked by wind or debris.
- Fallen palms, mesquite, eucalyptus and pine, and the removal and repair they require.
- Interior water damage where wind opened the roof and rain followed.
Tropical remnants
Arizona is not a hurricane state, but the remains of Pacific hurricanes can deliver extraordinary rain. Tropical Storm Octave in 1983 flooded Tucson and Clifton, and the remnants of Hurricane Norbert set a single-day rainfall record in Phoenix on September 8, 2014. Flood from rising surface water is usually excluded from homeowners policies; wind and rain entering through storm-created openings often is not. We document the cause of each item so the right coverage is applied.
Questions about monsoon wind & microburst appraisal
My block wall fell in a microburst. Is it covered?
Many policies cover fences and walls under other structures. Some limit or exclude them, and settling or poor footings can complicate things. We value the wall; the policy decides coverage.
How do I prove the date of a monsoon storm?
Weather reports, storm data for your address, dated photos and neighbors’ claims all help. We gather this evidence as part of our file.
Is dust intrusion a covered loss?
It depends on whether wind first created an opening and on your policy wording. Dust that enters through ordinary gaps is often treated differently from dust that follows storm damage.