The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed on Monday that a minor tornado struck northwest of Phoenix in Maricopa County last week.
The tornado was reported at Forepaugh, a small town near Wickenburg, on Tuesday, November 18. The short-lived tornado has a preliminary rating of EF-0, the lowest on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with wind speeds estimated at 80-85 mph.
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According to the National Weather Service, the storm caused property damage along U.S. Highway 60, including an overturned RV trailer. There were no injuries recorded.
Last Tuesday, powerful storms swept across the Phoenix area, causing damage in the West Valley, including a collapsed roof at Desert Sky Mall. That day, first responders performed numerous water rescues, but one man was killed when he was swept away by flash floods in Cordes Lakes.
Tornadoes in Arizona are uncommon, but not unheard of. Most of the time, they are weaker strains, such as the one that struck Forepaugh.
However, as evidenced by the devastation, even weak tornadoes can be dangerous. In November 2024, a tornado warning was issued east of Payson.
