Powerful winds split utility poles in north Phoenix, many without power Powerful winds took down a row of utility poles near 31st Avenue and Union Hills Drive in north Phoenix on Monday. Some came very close to homes and even caused one small fire. and last updated 2021-01-26 01:01:44-05 PHOENIX â Powerful winds took down a row of utility poles near 31st Avenue and Union Hills Drive in north Phoenix on Monday. Some came very close to homes and even caused one small fire. "When we stop to think about it, if these lines would've come any further down our house would've probably started on fire as well. Yeah we're lucky, very lucky," says Ted & Georgia Nelson, homeowners.