Storm strikes, four hurt

Four people remained hospitalized Saturday after a powerful thunderstorm roared through the northwestern Arizona community of Fort Mohave late Friday, flipping several recreational vehicles.

Heavy rain accompanied fierce winds that damaged homes, vehicles and roadways between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

"There were 14 RVs that were either destroyed or sustained major damage with 12 other units receiving minor damage," said Mohave County Emergency Management Coordinator Byron Steward.

County Public Information Director Darryle Purcell said six people trapped by debris were rescued by Fort Mojave Mesa Fire Department personnel.

Steward said an expert with the National Weather Service office in Las Vegas was to visit the scene and survey the damage in an effort to determine what happened.

"It was some kind of wind event, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't a tornado," Steward said. "Whether is was a strong straight wind or possibly a microburst, I'd hesitate to speculate."

Steward said the storm triggered power outages, uprooted some trees, flooded some homes and caused minor damage to roads in the area.

He said Red Cross volunteers were working to provide food and shelter to people displaced by damage to their dwellings.