Prepared Brief: Phoenix Storm Causes Outages, Antifa Terror Cell Guilty Plea
November 20, 2025
Analyst Insight
The last day has been active with a severe thunderstorm in Phoenix damaging infrastructure, and a landmark antifa terrorism prosecution in Texas.
Overall posture is somewhat strained…infrastructure is being pushed by extreme weather and rising electricity demand, while civil liberties and domestic security remain tense.
This is the second significant weather‑driven power disruption in the Southwest in less than a month, and it coincides with North American grid operators warning that winter demand growth is outpacing new supply.
At the same time, the first successful use of federal material‑support charges against an antifa cell in Texas highlights that politically motivated violence is evolving.
This combination of infrastructure strain and ideological extremism requires careful readiness planning to avoid overlapping threats.
Domestic Security & Civil Unrest
Antifa terror cell guilty plea – Dallas, TX: Five members of an antifa cell pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists for a July 4 attack at the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas that wounded a police officer. The Justice Department called it the first use of such charges against antifa; defendants Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Seth Sikes, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas now face up to 15 years in prison. Court documents describe how they fired on officers and used fireworks to help the shooter escape.
Why it matters: The plea sets a precedent for prosecuting ideological violence and may encourage further crackdowns on extremist cells; heightened tensions could trigger protests or retaliatory acts, requiring vigilance by law enforcement and communities.
No major protests, unrest, or active shooter incidents reported across the U.S. in the past 24 hours - no immediate disruption expected for public events or travel.
Infrastructure & Grid Alerts
Winter reliability concerns – U.S. & Canada: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2025‑2026 winter assessment warns that rapid electricity demand growth, driven by data centers and electrification, has outpaced new supply. Peak demand grew by about 20 GW (2.5 %) while net new generation is under 10 GW. Prolonged severe cold could cause supply shortages in New England, Texas, the Southeast, and parts of the West, especially because intermittent wind and solar output and vulnerable natural‑gas supplies make balancing the grid more challenging.
Why it matters: High energy demand could lead to rolling outages during cold snaps; households and critical services should prepare back‑up power and reduce consumption during peak periods.
Power outages and infrastructure damage – Phoenix, AZ: A severe thunderstorm on Nov. 19–20 produced hail and flash flooding. Over 6,000 Salt River Project customers initially lost power, and hundreds more APS customers were affected. The storm caused a partial roof collapse at Desert Sky Mall and forced a ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. State Route 238 was closed due to flooding, and hail made driving hazardous on Interstate 10.
Why it matters: Storm‑related outages demonstrate the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather; residents should secure shelters and be prepared for transportation delays and service interruptions.
No other significant infrastructure or grid disruptions reported today - normal service conditions elsewhere.
Extreme Weather & Natural Hazards
Severe thunderstorm with hail – Phoenix, AZ: The same Phoenix storm produced marble-sized hail, causing flooding and damaging vehicles. Flash‑flood warnings were issued for Maricopa County, and emergency crews reported a partial roof collapse at a local mall. The National Weather Service urged drivers to avoid I‑10 due to hail accumulation and poor visibility.
Why it matters: Hail and flash flooding can damage roofs, vehicles, and crops, and may cause injuries; prepare by securing outdoor property, checking hail coverage on insurance, and monitoring local forecasts.
No other significant weather hazards outside seasonal norms - standard precautions advised.
Border & Immigration
Protest against CBP operation – Charlotte, NC: About 200 people rallied outside a Home Depot on Nov. 19, demanding U.S. Customs and Border Protection leave Charlotte. Signs read “ICE Out of Home Depot” and “We Stand With Immigrants”. The Carolina Migrant Network said CBP agents drew guns on pedestrians, broke car windows, and detained U.S. citizens before releasing them. More than 250 people have been arrested during the ongoing operation, and authorities have not said when it will end.
Why it matters: Continued federal operations and community protests could lead to confrontations, disrupt commerce at businesses used as staging areas, and divert law‑enforcement resources from other tasks.
Border operations steady: No reports of large crossings, cartel conflicts, or significant smuggling interdictions beyond routine activity.
Church, Mission & Civilian Safety
Attack on Nigerian church – Kwara State: Gunmen stormed a church in Eruku, north‑central Nigeria, killing at least two worshippers and kidnapping the pastor and several congregants. President Bola Tinubu cancelled trips and ordered security forces to rescue those abducted. The attack came days after 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi state and has sparked calls for increased security.
Why it matters: The incident highlights the ongoing threat to religious communities and humanitarian teams in West Africa; mission organizations should review security plans, avoid high‑risk regions, and maintain reliable communication with local authorities.
No other global incidents affecting church, mission, or civilian teams - low travel security risk in known mission zones.
International Flashpoints
Cyber‑enabled kinetic targeting – Iran: Amazon threat‑intelligence researchers detailed how Iranian groups combine cyber espionage with physical attacks. In one case, the Imperial Kitten/Tortoiseshell group hacked ship Automatic Identification Systems and CCTV to gather intelligence, culminating in a Feb. 1, 2024, missile strike on a vessel after earlier compromises in 2021–2022. In another case, the MuddyWater group used hacked CCTV feeds from Jerusalem in June 2025 to assist Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in launching missile attacks days later. Amazon warns that such “cyber‑enabled kinetic targeting” will become more common and urges defenders to adapt strategies.
Why it matters: The fusion of cyber reconnaissance and physical strikes illustrates an emerging threat model that could target shipping, aviation, or critical infrastructure; operators should harden networks and monitor for unusual traffic.
No other international incidents with direct U.S. impact noted in the past 24 hours.
Supply Chain & Liberty Watch
No significant supply‑chain disruptions or policy changes impacting fuel, food, medicine, electronics, or constitutional rights have been reported today - standard operating conditions.
Signals to Monitor
Ongoing NERC updates about peak electricity demand and any emergency alerts.
Growth or spread of protests against federal immigration operations in other cities.
Additional severe weather advisories for the Southwest and any winter storm warnings that could strain the grid.
Further reports of cyber‑enabled kinetic attacks or suspicious maritime/cyber activity targeting U.S. assets.
Nigerian security operations to rescue abductees and any subsequent attacks on churches or aid workers.
Red Flags
Grid operators issue public appeals to conserve power or schedule rolling outages.
Protests turn violent or target critical infrastructure, prompting curfews or deployment of riot control units.
The National Weather Service warns of consecutive storms or extreme cold waves that could exacerbate infrastructure damage.
Evidence of cyber intrusions into shipping, port, or energy networks accompanied by geopolitical tensions.
Additional kidnappings or attacks on religious gatherings in Nigeria or neighboring countries.
Preparedness Action Items
Within 24 hours: Inspect roofs and clear gutters to reduce hail and flood damage; secure loose outdoor items.
Within 48 hours: Fully charge portable power banks and stock up on fuel for generators in anticipation of potential winter energy shortages.
Monitor local alerts: Avoid areas near Home Depots and other CBP staging sites in Charlotte; reroute travel if protests intensify.
For missions and travelers: Suspend non‑essential trips to Kwara state and neighboring Nigerian regions until abductees are rescued; update crisis communication protocols.
Cybersecurity: Implement multi‑factor authentication and network segmentation for maritime and industrial control systems; monitor AIS and CCTV feeds for anomalies.
Stock supplies: Maintain a 72‑hour supply of food, water, and medications; check that emergency kits include weather‑appropriate clothing and first‑aid supplies.