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Duration | October 5–6, 2010 |
Tornado outbreak | |
Tornadoes | 12 |
Maximum rating | EF3 tornado |
Duration | 8 hours[1] |
Largest hail | 3.0 in (7.6 cm) in diameter in Glendale, Arizona |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 0 |
Injuries | 11 injuries (7 tornadic) |
Damage | $4.9 billion[2] |
Areas affected | Southwest United States |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2010 |
On October 5–6, 2010, a destructive series of thunderstorms struck Arizona, resulting in the state's largest tornado outbreak and its costliest weather disaster on record. Spawned by a nearby cold-core low, successive hailstorms in Phoenix and surrounding locations on October 5 caused damage to thousands of homes, businesses, and vehicles. The following day, a record 12 tornadoes were recorded, multiple strong/EF2 or greater on the Enhanced Fujita scale and many in close proximity to one another; this included two tornadoes rated EF3. Thunderstorms on both days caused significant flash flooding which inundated businesses, stranded vehicles, and closed roadways. Damage throughout the state reached $4.9 billion, including $2.7 billion in insured loss from just hail damage, the costliest weather event on record in Arizona. Some impacts occurred in California, Nevada, and Utah as well as the cold-core remained stationary over several days.