Thunderstorm’s Strong Winds Rake Phoenix Area

A brief thunderstorm’s strong winds damaged several homes under construction and toppled trees in neighborhoods in southeastern parts of the Phoenix, Ariz., area.

The storm late Monday also downed power poles, and the Salt River Project reported that 4,500 customers were without power at one point.

The National Weather Service says one microburst near the Ahwatukee area of south Phoenix carried winds up to 60 mph while one in near Chandler had winds up to 70 mph.

The damaged homes under construction are located near Desert Vista High School, which had its football scoreboard knocked down.

Some of the incomplete homes had roofs blown apart while others collapsed.

Elsewhere, wind damaged awnings and roofs on mobile homes in Mesa.