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Tornado warning issued for Flagstaff area as storm moves north
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for part of Coconino County, Arizona, including Flagstaff, until 9:45 a.m. MST Wednesday after radar indicated rotation in a storm moving north at 45 mph.
- 12News is now reporting this
Primary source: National Weather Service alert
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a tornado warning at 9:09 a.m. MST (12:09 p.m. ET) Wednesday, Oct. 21, for part of Coconino County in north-central Arizona, in effect until 9:45 a.m. MST1.
The agency said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was about 5 miles northwest of Forest Highlands, or 9 miles southwest of Flagstaff, moving north at 45 mph1. It said the warning was based on radar-indicated rotation and listed quarter-size hail as a hazard1.
Places in the warning area include East and Downtown Flagstaff, Fort Valley, Bellemont, Camp Navajo, Northern Arizona University and Arizona Snowbowl, along with stretches of Interstate 40, Interstate 17, Route 66, State Route 89A and Highway 180, the agency said1.
The weather service warned that "flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter" and told people to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows1.
It was the latest in a series of warnings across northern Arizona on Wednesday. NWS Flagstaff issued three tornado warnings around 5 a.m. for parts of Yavapai and Coconino counties and two more near Prescott and Jerome around 8 a.m., Phoenix station azfamily reported2. Those warnings were based on radar-indicated rotation rather than ground sightings, the station's meteorologists said2.
Storms on Tuesday night downed trees onto vehicles at an apartment complex in Mesa, azfamily reported2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
2 versions from 1 sourceTornado Warning issued October 21 at 9:09AM MST until October 21 at 9:45AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
The storm's location, its northward track toward Flagstaff and the shelter instructions.
The Flagstaff office's warning for a radar-indicated, tornado-capable storm southwest of Flagstaff moving north toward the city.
Cars damaged by downed trees in Mesa; 5 tornado warnings issued in northern Arizona
Leads with trees downed onto cars at a Mesa apartment complex, then lists Wednesday's earlier warnings.
Reports overnight storm damage in Mesa and a run of earlier tornado warnings in Yavapai and Coconino counties on Wednesday morning.
Leaves out Published before the 9:09 a.m. warning for the Flagstaff area, so it does not cover it.