Arlee Altamirano, an incident commander with Team Rubicon, said they\u2019re helping because the Oct. 13 storm<\/a> caused massive damage.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we call leads \u2014 just lists we get from the emergency managers \u2014 I\u2019ve heard one list had over 200 homes on it,\u201d Altamirano told KTAR News 92.3 FM. \u201cOne list had over 500 homes on it.\u201d<\/p>\n The storm dropped 0.75 inches of rain within minutes and had wind speeds that reached as high as 90 miles per hour. The Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department saw a 50% increase in calls<\/a> due to downed trees, flooding, medical calls and fire alarms.<\/p>\n New estimates from the city of Tempe found that the microburst damaged over 1,000 homes and 83 businesses.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the scope of Tempe disaster relief Team Rubicon is providing?<\/p>\n Altamirano says they\u2019re not sure how many homes they\u2019ll work on before the operation concludes at the end of this week.<\/p>\n Tempe resident and Team Rubicon volunteer Laurie Enright said their storm recovery efforts are comprehensive.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in Tempe this week, you might notice new faces among those helping with storm recovery efforts.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because volunteers with Team Rubicon landed in the city this week to help locals recover from the Oct. 13 microburst. \ud83e\uddf5<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa5Footage by @balin_om<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vEB19uc8e9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe\u2019re clearing entryways, doing debris removal, sawing trees down or if they\u2019re already on the ground, cutting them,\u201d Enright said. \u201cLater on, today, we\u2019ll be doing some roof tarping.\u201d<\/p>\n Team Rubicon also focuses on helping residents in need, including seniors, low-income families, people living with disabilities and fellow veterans.<\/p>\n Enright said these storm cleanup efforts bring hope to impacted people in her community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe get paid in hugs,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Enright also initiated Team Rubicon\u2019s operation in Tempe, explaining she did a survey of damage after the storm.<\/p>\n \u201cVery quickly after doing a drive-thru of communities and some of our homes and areas around the university, it was clear we could definitely be of assistance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \t\t\t Storm cleanup efforts also underway in Globe, which endured deadly floods<\/p>\n Enright explained that just before arriving in Tempe, Team Rubicon had been working east of the Valley, assisting with recovery efforts after deadly flooding in the city of Globe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although the volunteers have gone a while without a break, she said they\u2019re grateful to be helping people across the state.<\/p>\n For Arlee Altamirano, repairing homes in Tempe has deepened his appreciation for the communities he serves.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not going to believe me but it does more for us as individuals than it does for the community,\u201d Altamirano said. \u201cIt makes us feel good. After spending 21 years as a police officer, now retired, I\u2019ve seen a lot of the bad side. I\u2019m ready to have my faith in humanity restored.\u201d<\/p>\n He urged anyone interested to join Team Rubicon<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @balin_om<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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