Two EF1 tornadoes struck northern Arizona on Wednesday, October 21, the National Weather Service has confirmed, after severe storms damaged homes, uprooted trees and left at least one person injured.
One tornado touched down near Prescott in Yavapai County at about 7.32am, tracking for roughly eight miles through the Bradshaw Mountains and across Spruce Mountain before dissipating near Walker Road. Its winds were estimated at up to 105mph, with extensive damage reported to ponderosa pine trees.
Two tornadoes hit Arizona during severe storms
The second tornado moved through Heber-Overgaard in Navajo County later that evening. It formed at about 6.59pm, crossed Highway 260 and dissipated near Highway 277 around 11 minutes later.
The National Weather Service estimated peak winds of 110mph, placing the storm at the upper end of the EF1 category. Several homes and other structures were damaged, while trees were snapped or torn from the ground and recreational vehicles were destroyed.
One person suffered a non-life-threatening injury in the Heber-Overgaard storm. No injuries were reported in the Prescott area.
The confirmation followed a week of unsettled weather across Arizona, with the National Weather Service issuing 16 tornado warnings between Wednesday morning and Thursday night as powerful thunderstorms brought damaging winds, hail and flooding concerns.
