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PHOENIX — <\/span>Trees fell onto homes and utility poles were knocked down by a possible tornado in a central Arizona community during a series of violent storms<\/a> that moved through the state overnight into Thursday.<\/p>\n Storms capable of causing hail and wind damage were traveling through central Arizona early Thursday, with some flood watches and the possibility of tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.<\/p>\n On Wednesday night, northern and central parts of the state saw hail the size of golf balls that pummeled people\u2019s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, along with damaging wind gusts. The weather service had issued multiple warnings during the severe thunderstorms<\/a>.<\/p>\n A tornado warning was in effect Wednesday night as a storm moved over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo County, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of Phoenix. People in the area posted photos and video online of uprooted trees and crumpled structures. Significant damage and minor injuries were reported, the county sheriff’s office said in a statement. There are about 3,000 people in the community.<\/p>\n State Rep. Walt Blackman, whose district covers parts of the county, requested a state of emergency declaration. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have families without power, significant property damage, and at least one reported injury,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n The storm hit as members of the Overgaard Baptist Church were wrapping up a prayer meeting. <\/p>\n \u201cWe took some damage, lost a lot of trees, signs, fences and a few windows,\u201d the church posted about the storm Wednesday night. Nerves were rattled, but members were OK. <\/p>\n \u201cWe had a great prayer meeting in the women\u2019s restroom,\u201d the post said. <\/p>\n Warm, moist air moving north fuels storms coming off the California coast. Changing winds can make them spin, creating the conditions for tornadoes, said Ryan Bernhart, a weather service meteorologist in Flagstaff.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is very unusual for this area at this time of the year,\u201d Bernhart said.<\/p>\n Strong winds toppled trees in Flagstaff and Mesa, with some landing on walls and carports. A few dozen ponderosa pines over 30 feet (9 meters) tall fell down in the Coconino National Forest, northwest of Flagstaff. <\/p>\n \u201cThese are not small trees that are down,\u201d Bernhart said. \u201cThese are pretty strong trees that had been knocked down.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Hill reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n