Winds Topple 'Rather Large' Tucson Public Art Display

TUCSON, AZ — City officials think a powerful microburst of thunderstorms may be responsible for toppling a piece of public art that decorates the Kino Parkway Overpass at 22nd Street. Though lightweight, the large metal column blocked both southbound lanes of travel on Kino. No one was injured, police said.

Tucson police Public Information Officer Chris Hawkins described the decorative light pole as “rather large” in a tweet that warned motorists to stay away from the area.

The tweet directed southbound motorists to exit onto 22nd. Kino south of 22nd remains open.

The microburst — a sudden, powerful, localized air current — that brought 45 mph winds to Tucson also uprooted a tree and tossed it in the northbound lanes, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

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Tucson, which is currently under an excessive heat warning, will endure a few more days of hot temperatures before they moderate by mid-week. Rain chances are in the forecast as monsoon activity begins.

Photo via Shutterstock