Probable tornado hits Heber-Overgaard in Northern Arizona as radar detects strong rotation

A tornado likely touched down in the Heber-Overgaard area of Northern Arizona around 7 p.m. Wednesday, as a thunderstorm with tornado warnings attached passed, the National Weather Service’s Flagstaff office told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“We believe that it did produce a tornado there,” NWS meteorologist Justin Johndrow said. “We do have a few reports unofficially that there is some damage there.”

Representative Walt Blackman of Legislative District 7 confirmed a tornado struck the area in an X post.

Blackman said one injury has been reported, and power is out in the area. He is calling on Governor Katie Hobbs to declare a state of emergency.

More than 1,200 customers remain without power in the area as of 10 p.m. Thursday.

Stormchaser and streamer Connor Croff also captured a dashcam video of a potential tornado.

Heber-Overgaard appears to have taken a direct hit from a tornado. Prayers. 😩😩😩 #azwx pic.twitter.com/IfLC4e3mPU

— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) October 22, 2026

The area about 140 miles northeast of Phoenix in Navajo County is home to about 3,000 people.

Community members in the surrounding areas have shared Facebook comments and videos of the damage.

While official confirmation of a tornado remains pending, radar data captured a powerful supercell featuring a tight rotational signature as it moved across the area.

Since tornado confirmations are done in person and officials have to physically survey the area, confirmation that the storm that hit the area produced a tornado could take until Thursday or Friday. 

The probable tornado moved through the eastern side of Heber-Overgaard, likely moving near the airport, WorldMark Bison Ranch or near the Rocky Rim Cabins, before moving into the surrounding Sitgreaves National Forest.

The storm has since dissipated after heading north near and over Highway 277.

The threat for tornado-producing storms continues through Thursday until at least the middle of the afternoon, according to the NWS.

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