‘I want to go home’: Tempe family still out after storm damage, blames HOA inaction

TEMPE, Ariz. — Four months after a devastating Oct. 13 storm tore through Tempe, causing significant damage and forcing dozens of residents from their homes, some families say they are still unable to return.

RELATED: Gov. Hobbs declares state of emergency in Tempe after storms caused significant damage

Amy Liszewski and her daughter, Cassie, were inside their Tempe townhome near Guadalupe and Rural roads when the storm hit.

“All of a sudden it sounded like chaos going on outside,” Cassie Liszewski said.

A tree crashed down onto the home.

“I just hear this big crash in my mom’s room, and she starts screaming and I’m like, 26 weeks pregnant at the time,” Cassie said. 

The tree left a hole in the roof, and water poured into the house.

“Then it just started pouring in the house,” Amy said. “It was like a waterfall down our stairs,” her daughter added.

The family’s insurance provided temporary housing. But the Liszewskis said they had to buy all new clothes, including items for Cassie’s baby boy.

The home has been deemed unsafe to occupy, Amy said, and requires replacement of the trusses and roof.

“The trusses alone are going to take several weeks to build, and nothing can be done in my home until it’s structurally sound,” Amy said.

Other homes in the neighborhood appear to have similar damage. Blue tarps still cover several roofs months after the storm. The problem the Liszewskis are facing is that their insurance benefits for relocation are running out.

“I will have to come out of pocket over $6,000 a month, plus my mortgage,” Amy said.

She and other neighbors claim their homeowners’ association received money from the insurance company to fund repairs. However, Liszewski said the board would need to implement a $40 monthly fee increase to cover the full cost of repairs. A decision she and other neighbors said the board does not want to make.

“It will increase us $40, and the homeowners don’t want to do that. I understand it’s an increase $40, but it’s a loss of my life. It’s devastation for us,” she said.

Liszewski said if no action is taken, the financial strain could be overwhelming.

“If they don’t take action, this will bankrupt me. I will lose my home,” Amy said.

She and her daughter have a few months left before reaching that point and hope the homeowners’ association will move forward with repairs.

“I want to go home,” Amy said.

12News reached out to the homeowners’ association, but has not received a response at this time.

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