Key facts
- Alert
- Tornado Warning (extreme)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Flagstaff AZ
- Areas
- Coconino, AZ
- Places
- Fort Valley, Parks, Bellemont, Garland Prairie, Government Prairie, Maine, Camp Navajo, Wing Mountain, Lava River Cave
- In effect
- until 5:45 AM MST, Oct 21, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building away from windows.”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Tornado Warning, 5:28 AM MST Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Tornadoes are difficult to observe at night. Take cover now!”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Tornado Warning, 5:28 AM MST Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter.”
NWS Flagstaff AZ, Tornado Warning, 5:28 AM MST Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take cover now. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building, away from windows.
If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, get to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
The warning covers places including Fort Valley, Parks, Bellemont, Garland Prairie and Camp Navajo, and parts of Interstate 40 and Highway 180. Drivers in the area should not try to outrun the storm and should seek sturdy shelter.
Stay in shelter until the warning ends at 5:45 AM MST, and keep checking National Weather Service updates.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 300 claims in Coconino County between 1978 and 2026. These claims count only insured properties and say nothing about tornado damage.
FEMA has made disaster declarations for the county, including severe storms and flooding in September 2021 and in October 2010, and severe winter storms and flooding in March 2010.
Updates
- The tornado warning expired at 5:45 AM MST.
- The National Weather Service updated the tornado warning; it remains in effect until 5:45 AM MST.
- NWS Flagstaff AZ issued the tornado warning until 5:45 AM MST.
History here
Coconino County: 300 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Coconino County: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a tornado warning in Coconino County, Arizona?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Tornado Warning for Coconino County at 5:19 AM MST, in effect until 5:45 AM MST on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where is the tornado-capable storm right now?
- At 5:19 AM MST, the National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was over Garland Prairie, 18 miles west of Flagstaff. It was moving northeast at 40 mph.
- What damage could this storm cause?
- The National Weather Service says flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed, roofs, windows and vehicles will be damaged, and tree damage is likely. The storm may also produce quarter size hail.
Sources
- NWS Flagstaff AZ: Tornado Warning, Oct 21, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.