Loggers still cleaning from 2010 tornado damage
Jun 23, 2012, 8:40 AM | Updated: 8:41 am
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — It’s been 20 months since two tornadoes touched down in northern Arizona and the damage still is being cleaned up.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports that loggers are salvaging some 4,200 acres of trees where the tornadoes hit on Oct. 6, 2010.
Some trees were uprooted and others broken off 30 feet above the ground.
The rare twisters damaged about 200 homes in the small town of Bellemont, just west of Flagstaff, and 33 homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
Coconino National Forest officials say that paths left by the tornadoes near Blue Ridge, Munds Park, Camp Navajo and Bellemont are as wide as 400 feet and as long as 25 miles.
Arizona State Forestry and the Forest Service are hoping the loggers will get to the trees before beetles can.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.