Russo and Steele's Arizona auction closed Friday as weather wreaks havoc

The Russo and Steele auction site in Scottsdale, Ariz., was closed Friday morning--and may not open to the public at all during the day--as city and auction officials assess damage after high winds Thursday night ripped tents from their anchors and damaged several cars.

Scottsdale police were not letting anyone into the site as collapsed tents and metal beams remain a hazard. One person was treated for minor injuries.

Viewed from the freeway overlooking the site at daylight, the two massive tents used to house cars appeared to have sustained extensive damage. Portions of at least one tent blew onto a nearby freeway onThursday night, stopping traffic and forcing the road to be closed for a short time.

Chuck Favour, vice president of sales for Hagerty collector-car insurance, says the cars under those tents were extensively damaged.

"Fifty to 60 percent, maybe more, of the vehicles have suffered some kind of damage," Favour said.

Collapsed tent poles had fallen across cars, and convertibles left with their tops down were among those damaged.

"Hagerty has assembled a team that includes claim adjusters here in Scottsdale on standby and will assist their insured as soon as they are allowed access back into the site," Favour said.

The damage and closure is a blow for Russo and Steele as the Friday night of its Arizona auction event typically features its most prominent cars and draws the biggest crowds.

In a message posted on its Web site, Russo and Steele said it was optimistic about continuing its auction this weekend.

The Russo and Steele event is one of several auto auctions being held in the Scottsdale area this week. Other auction companies holding events are Barrett-Jackson, RM Auctions and Gooding and Co.

At the Barrett-Jackson auction, about two miles from the Russo and Steele site, the sale continued on Thursday night, but the auction closed its vendor stands because of the weather. On its Web site, Barrett-Jackson said it would be open according to its scheduled hours on Friday.

RM Auction president Ian Kelleher said on Friday morning, "Drew Alcazar [Russo and Steele CEO] is a true gentleman and a good friend. We hope all of us in the collector-car community will do all they can to rally to support him and help him navigate through this tough time.

"We all genuinely feel terrible about this act of nature and wish the best of luck to the consignors, vendors and bidders at Russo and Steele. We look forward to seeing them back up and running as quickly as possible, and will do all we can to help."

Russo and Steele CEO Drew Alcazar and several car owners were interviewed by Phoenix TV station KTVK:

An earlier report from KTVK:

By Dave Kinney