NWS rates Heber-Overgaard tornado EF1 at 110 mph
The National Weather Service confirmed the October 21 Heber-Overgaard storm was an EF1 tornado with peak winds near 110 mph, FOX 10 Phoenix and 12News reported. The path ran about 9.3 miles and 350 yards wide. A second EF1 hit near Spruce Mountain in Yavapai County, and one bicyclist had a non-life-threatening injury.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that the storm that tore through Heber-Overgaard, Arizona, on the evening of October 21 was an EF1 tornado with peak winds near 110 mph, FOX 10 Phoenix and 12News reported. An EF1 falls in the 86 to 110 mph range.
The tornado traveled about 9.3 miles and was about 350 yards wide, FOX 10 reported, citing the survey record. It lasted about 11 minutes. Surveyors said it moved north across Highway 260 through town and then faded near Highway 277, FOX 10 and ABC15 reported. 12News quoted the weather service as saying the path crossed Highway 269 instead.
One person riding a bicycle suffered a non-life-threatening injury, FOX 10 reported. 12News said there were no life-threatening injuries. No deaths were reported.
A second EF1 tornado was confirmed near Spruce Mountain in Yavapai County on the morning of October 21, with peak winds near 105 mph, FOX 10, 12News, and ABC15 reported. That path was about eight miles long and about 300 yards wide, FOX 10 said. No injuries were reported there.
Residents described snapped ponderosa pines, roof damage, a thrown boat, and flipped trailers, FOX 10 reported. Members of Overgaard Baptist Church sheltered in a windowless bathroom as the storm hit, the station said. State Rep. Walt Blackman asked Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare a Navajo County emergency, FOX 10 reported.
The confirmation updates an earlier NewsHabit card that called the Heber-Overgaard storm a "likely" tornado while the survey was still pending.
What we know: NWS rated the Heber-Overgaard tornado EF1 at about 110 mph over a path of about 9.3 miles, confirmed a second EF1 near Spruce Mountain, and reported one non-life-threatening injury and no deaths.
What we don't: Whether the governor will grant the emergency declaration Blackman asked for.
Where outlets agree FOX 10 Phoenix and 12News report that the National Weather Service rated the Heber-Overgaard tornado EF1 with peak winds near 110 mph and confirmed a second EF1 near Spruce Mountain.
Where they differ FOX 10 Phoenix and ABC15 say the Heber-Overgaard path crossed Highway 260, while 12News quotes the weather service as saying Highway 269.