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**News Article:**

**EF-2 Tornado Devastated Southeast Utah Community, Preliminary Report Confirms**

MONTEZUMA CREEK, UT – A preliminary report released Monday confirmed that a powerful EF-2 tornado ripped through the Montezuma Creek area of San Juan County on September 13th, packing winds estimated at 120 mph and causing significant damage to homes and property.

The National Weather Service’s Grand Junction office detailed that severe weather struck the area around 12:30 p.m. The first tornado touched down briefly northeast of Montezuma Creek but did not cause enough damage to determine its strength.

A second, more powerful tornado formed shortly before 1:00 p.m. near the first, intensifying to an EF-2 and remaining nearly stationary for approximately 47 minutes before dissipating around 1:45 p.m. Local officials and video footage documented the tornado’s path and intensity.

Navajo Police Department officials reported that the tornado destroyed three homes in the McCracken Mesa and Cahone Mesa areas outside of Montezuma Creek. While no human injuries were reported, some animals are missing, and additional property damage has been documented.

Tornadoes are relatively rare in Utah, averaging just two per year. San Juan County has only recorded three previous tornadoes between 1950 and 2024, none exceeding EF-0. The recent EF-2 is a significant event for the region.

Remarkably, this is not the only unusual weather event the county has experienced this year. In the spring, the Deer Creek Fire near La Sal produced a “firenado” with winds peaking at 122 mph, also reaching EF-2 intensity, causing fire and wind damage, including damage to a Bureau of Land Management fire engine.

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