The National Weather Service (NWS) in Flagstaff announced Wednesday that a third tornado has been officially confirmed in northern Arizona. The newly verified twister, dubbed the Wing Mountain tornado, touched down on Oct. 21 at 5:41 a.m. about 3.5 miles north of the small community of Bellemont, just west of Flagstaff.
Path and strength of the Wing Mountain tornado
According to the NWS Flagstaff office, the tornado traveled northeast through forested terrain before dissipating just west of Highway 180. The storm carved a 2.3‑mile path, snapping and uprooting large ponderosa pines along the way. Peak winds were estimated at 110 mph, placing the event in the EF1 category.
Earlier tornadoes confirmed in the same week
Days earlier, officials confirmed two additional tornadoes that struck the state on the same day. The Spruce Mountain tornado, also rated EF1, touched down near Prescott at 7:32 a.m. with maximum winds of 105 mph. It remained on the ground for 14 minutes, traveling 8 miles and reaching a width of roughly 300 yards.
The Heber‑Overgaard tornado struck at 6:59 p.m., also an EF1, with peak winds of 110 mph. It stayed on the ground for 11 minutes, covering 9.25 miles and reaching about 350 yards wide. One person was injured in the Heber‑Overgaard event, while no injuries were reported from the Wing Mountain or Spruce Mountain tornadoes.
Impact on local communities
Residents near Bellemont reported hearing a loud roar early in the morning before seeing the damage to the forested area. Local emergency managers activated tornado warnings throughout the day, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid travel on affected roadways. Highway 180 remained open after the storm passed, but officials advised drivers to exercise caution due to downed trees and debris.
Both the Prescott and Heber‑Overgaard tornadoes prompted brief road closures and inspections of power lines. Utility crews worked through the night to restore electricity to affected neighborhoods. No major structural damage to homes was reported, but the loss of mature pine trees has raised concerns about increased fire risk during the upcoming dry season.
What’s next?
The NWS will continue to monitor the region for any additional severe weather as the autumn storm pattern shifts. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local weather alerts and to review safety plans for tornadoes, especially in forested and rural areas where visibility can be limited.
For more information on tornado safety and how to report damage, visit the National Weather Service website or contact the Flagstaff office directly.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
