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PANGUITCH — A tornado touched down as storms swept across Southern Utah Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials at the NWS said they estimated that the tornado touched down about approximately 1:30 p.m.
The tornado was reported near Highway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Red Canyon in Garfield County.
Panguitch tornado touching down between Bryce Canyon and Red Canyon along Hwy 12. Photo taken by Ryan Fisher. #utwxpic.twitter.com/RDW5R0nKsV
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 26, 2016
A funnel cloud formed about 6 miles south of Panguitch at about 1:20 p.m., according to Garfield County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cheryl Church.
Church said no injuries or damage have been reported.
Though tornadoes aren't completely uncommon to Utah, they are rare to Garfield County. According to the NWS, the tornado is just the second tornado reported in Garfield County since 1950. The other was reported in 2000.
KSL meteorologist Kevin Eubank said, on average, two to three tornadoes are reported in Utah each year.
Panguitch resident Tim Marshall said he saw the funnel cloud forming during a storm that passed the area.
"I've lived here most of my life — I've never seen anything like that here," he said.
Contributing: Keira Farrimond, Kevin Eubank
KSL viewer sent this video of a funnel cloud touching down between Bryce Canyon & Red Canyon along Hwy 12. #utwxpic.twitter.com/qATTdyXkwP
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) August 26, 2016
Though rare, cyclonic activity can occur at high elevation. Stan & Rose Caparrell took these 2 mi West of us today. pic.twitter.com/oqV0zvFNFe
— Bryce Canyon NP (@BryceCanyonNPS) August 26, 2016
