SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tuesday night, a monsoon storm ripped through Scottsdale, causing damage that left even long-time residents in awe.
Avia McCormick Ranch and the neighborhoods around the apartment complex bore some of the worst of the storm's damage — uprooted trees, blocked roadways and torn up golf courses.
"Oh my God it’s insane. I’ve never seen anything like it before," said Olivia Massena who lives at the apartments. "I can’t explain how big these trees are. If you take a look around it looks like a tornado came through here."
Inside and out, the complex suffered extensive damage, however there were no gas leaks according to the Scottsdale Fire Department.
"Our pool area is completely smashed in," Massena added. "My sliding glass door came out. All the trees were uprooted."
"I’ve been up here in the area since 1984 and I can tell you I’ve never seen anything like what last night’s storm created," Roy Murray said.
“It’s crazy. I had no idea the wind was so strong," Joey De la Cruz, another resident of the complex added. "The palm trees are still up, but these big trees are down.”
After about 10 minutes of storms Tuesday night, a tree fell on the complex and Scottsdale Fire evacuated 16 units and had to rescue two residents that were trapped for over 15 minutes.
"We initiated a technical rescue response to bring out our crews with the heavy equipment," Cpt. Dave Folio said. "We were able to cut that tree back, get those people out and they were not injured."
Despite two trees hitting the building, there were no injues. The people who were trapped are now in hotels.
“It’s a God-send blessing that nobody was seriously injured," Murray said.
Massena is friends with the people who live in the corner apartment that was hit and damaged by a large downed tree. She's catsitting for them and the cats are still in the apartment with no way out.
"I can’t get the cats out of my friend’s apartment. It’s scary," Massena admitted.
The storm damage spread throughout the surrounding areas of Hayden Road and Via de Ventura. Captain Folio says the cleanup process will now be turned over to City of Scottsdale street crews.
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