Weather
Arizona Tornado Report: 2 Twisters Carve 17 Miles of Damage Oct 21
Flagstaff, AZ – Two tornadoes struck northern Arizona on Wednesday, October 21, damaging multiple homes and structures, snapping and uprooting trees, and leaving one person injured as powerful storms
By Sophie Caldwell · 2026-10-24T23:15:05.852Z
Flagstaff, AZ – Two tornadoes struck northern Arizona on Wednesday, October 21, damaging multiple homes and structures, snapping and uprooting trees, and leaving one person injured as powerful storms moved through Navajo and Yavapai counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, damage surveys released Saturday, October 24, confirmed both tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, with estimated peak winds of 110 mph in Heber Overgaard and 105 mph near Spruce Mountain.
Heber Overgaard Tornado Damages Multiple Homes The stronger tornado developed approximately five miles south southwest of Heber Overgaard at 6:59 p.m. Wednesday.
It traveled north across Highway 260, passing through portions of the community before dissipating approximately four miles northeast of Heber Overgaard near Highway 277 at 7:10 p.m.
The tornado remained on the ground for approximately 9.26 miles, reaching a maximum width of 350 yards.
National Weather Service survey teams documented damage to multiple homes and structures, including damaged roofing materials and numerous snapped and uprooted trees.
The most significant damage occurred along the southern side of Highway 260 and in central Overgaard.
One person suffered nonfatal injuries. No deaths were reported.
Second EF1 Tornado Crosses Spruce Mountain Earlier Wednesday, a separate tornado developed near Lookout Mountain in Yavapai County at approximately 7:32 a.m.
The tornado traveled northeast across Spruce Mountain and Walker Road before dissipating at 7:46 a.m.
Surveyors determined the tornado traveled 8.02 miles, reached a maximum width of 300 yards and produced estimated winds of 105 mph.
Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped throughout the mountainous terrain. No injuries or fatalities were reported from this tornado.
More Than 17 Miles of Combined Tornado Tracks Together, the two tornadoes traveled approximately 17.28 miles across northern Arizona.
Both received EF1 ratings on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which corresponds to estimated wind speeds of 86 to 110 mph.
The National Weather Service worked with local emergency officials, residents and organizations including the Prescott National Forest and Groom Creek Fire District to document the damage.
Officials emphasized that both surveys remain preliminary and could be revised before publication in the National Weather Service's official Storm Data records.