PHOENIX -- A three-hour monster storm packing 100 mph wind gusts rips through the Valley, destroying the ASU Devil Dome, uprooting trees and cutting power to thousands, meteorologists said.
A peak wind gust of 100 mph was recorded in Maricopa County, the National Weather Service reported.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
At the State Capitol, a statue of World War One pilot Frank Luke Jr. was toppled from its pedestal. The hollow metal statue of the Phoenix native noted for shooting down German observation balloons lay on its back Friday as workers nearby cut up downed tree limbs.
The Phoenix Zoo said it was hit hard. Several trees fell and some damage was done to tents, awnings and smaller zoo buildings, but no animals were harmed.
A 75 mph wind gust was reported three miles northeast of Mesa and a 69 mph wind gust was clocked at Estrella Parkway and Elliot, NWS meteorologists said.
Mesa, Gilbert and Fountain Hills were punished at least two times by different storm cells lighting up the skies.
"The storm was 40 miles wide and about 100 miles long," said CBS 5 chief meteorologist Sean McLaughlin. It stretched from Fountain Hills to near Goodyear, he said.
The violent weather slapped Sky Harbor with an airport weather warning for high winds and reduced visibility.
"Strong winds blew a large amount of debris onto runways and taxiways during the storm and it is still being removed," said Julie Rodriguez, the airport's public information manager.
Damage was reported to terminals, cargo areas, electrical systems, jetways and aircraft, said airport spokeswoman Deborah Ostreicher. About 500 travelers were forced to spend the night in the terminals.
There were only minimal flight delays reported Friday morning, but Ostreicher said they may increase later in the day because flight crews were kept late and may have worked the maximum number of hours allowed.
At 10:15 p.m, visibility was down to a quarter of a mile in a dust storm four miles west of Luke Air Force Base.
The lightning was intense, constant and dangerous.
"Looks like a disco strobe light," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said over an inch of rain fell in 15 minutes in the southeast Valley.
A trained weather spotter reported 40 mph winds uprooted trees near 48th Street and McDowell Road. The underpass at Interstate 17 near Grant was flooded late Thursday night.
"We dropped 30 degrees between 8 and 10 p.m.," McLaughlin said.
"We will continue to watch the storms build again Friday afternoon on the rim and then into the Valley," he said.
Resources For Storm Relief
A cooling station has been established by the Red Cross at Arcadia High School's Auxiliary Gym at 4703 E. Indian School Road. The Red Cross is prepared to convert it to a shelter if needed Friday night. The public should call The Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross at 800-842-7349 for more information.
APS customers are being told that they can go to grocery stores to purchase 20 pounds of dry ice for their refrigerators/freezers and APS will reimburse them for the expenditure.
In Tempe, the city has scheduled a "Special Storm Related Bulk Debris Pick-Up" to be held on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is designed to help residents in the Riverside/Sunset neighborhood, which was the hardest hit in the city. Crews will be equipped with collection vehicles and bob-cats to assist with the removal of debris.
APS crews have been brought in from Casa Grande, Cottonwood, Prescott and Snowflake to assist with restoration efforts.
Phoenix residents can call the Parks Department at 602-534-9440 to remove trees that have fallen in the street or right-of-way.
Madison elementary schools canceled classes on Friday.
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Sean Surveys Damage
