Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Minnesota, July 1, 1997

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Minnesota, July 1, 1997
Start: 1997-07-01T14:35
End: 1997-07-01T22:23
Location: Minnesota

July 1, 1997 · NWS MPX · 101 events in 23 counties and zones

58 thunderstorm wind, 24 hail, 14 tornado, 4 lightning, 1 flash flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $21 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 101

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

58 thunderstorm wind, 24 hail, 14 tornado, 4 lightning, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 2 mi W of Louisburg
Coordinates: 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Fire caused by lightning strike to tree spread to small shed and tractor.

Hail, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 4 mi W of Providence
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.830, -96.200

Lightning, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 5 mi N of Madison
Coordinates: 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning strike killed one sheep.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, Madison
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage: $400,000
Coordinates: 45.020, -96.200

Barn blown down, killing one horse. Tree and shed damage. Approximately 8 miles of wind damage. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, Dawson
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.930, -96.070

Large tree also sheared in half due to strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chippewa

When: July 1, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 3 mi N of Milan
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.170, -95.930

Barn collapse. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Chippewa

When: July 1, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 15 mi NE of Montevideo
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 45.100, -95.500

Hail, Swift

When: July 1, 3:07 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Appleton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 45.200, -96.020

Lightning, Yellow Medicine

When: July 1, 3:13 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 3 mi N of Clarkfield
Coordinates: 44.716, -95.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Barn struck by lightning.

Flash Flood, Pope

When: July 1, 3:30 PM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pope County, Glenwood
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 45.586, -95.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

3 inches of rain in 45 minutes resulted in basement flooding. Damage estimate for entire county.

Tornado, Pope

When: July 1, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 2 mi N of Sedan
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 45.620, -95.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Pope

When: July 1, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Pope County, Sedan
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 45.580, -95.250

Large trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: July 1, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 1 mi W of Pennock
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.150, -95.200

Roof ripped off turkey barn. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Meeker

When: July 1, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Cosmos
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.930, -94.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Swift

When: July 1, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Benson
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.320, -95.620

Numerous trees blown down. Portion of roof ripped off Livestock Exchange.

Thunderstorm Wind, Swift

When: July 1, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 1 mi W of Benson
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 45.320, -95.630

Three 50,000 bushel grain bins blown onto highway. Wall collapse at ethanol plant. Damage estimate for entire county.

Tornado, Kandiyohi

When: July 1, 4:45 PM CST to 4:47 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Willmar
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Coordinates: 45.130, -95.050

Tornado left a one mile track of damage on the south and southeast sides of Willmar. Warehouse destroyed. Roof damage to motel.

Tornado, Kandiyohi

When: July 1, 4:50 PM CST to 4:55 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Willmar to 4 mi NE of Willmar
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Coordinates: 45.170, -95.000

Tornado touched down on Eagle Lake and moved ashore approximately one half mile. Several cabins and boat docks damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: July 1, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 3 mi W of Melrose
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.670, -94.900

Damage to turkey barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: July 1, 4:56 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Willmar Arpt
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph)
Coordinates: 45.120, -95.080

Numerous roofs damaged in Willmar. Semitrailer truck blown over. Power poles blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: July 1, 4:59 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 5 mi W of Sauk Centre
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 45.730, -95.070

Two farmsteads damaged by downburst winds. Several sheds destroyed. Irrigation equipment ripped into pieces. Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:01 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi S of Litchfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 45.070, -94.530

Hail, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Grove City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 45.150, -94.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Grove City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 45.150, -94.700

Trees blown down. Mobile home shifted off foundation. Funnel cloud also sighted in town.

Tornado, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi N of Grove City
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Coordinates: 45.220, -94.700

Large trees sheared in half.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:24 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Litchfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 45.130, -94.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: July 1, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 20 mi NW of Paynesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 45.580, -95.030

Large tree limb down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 2 mi E of Crow River
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 45.250, -94.700

Trailer tipped over. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Dassel to 2 mi SE of Dassel
Rating: F0
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Coordinates: 45.070, -94.350

Tree blown onto house. Barn damaged.

Hail, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Kingston
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 45.200, -94.320

Severe crop damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: July 1, 5:40 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 4 mi S of Hutchinson
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.830, -94.370

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Wright

When: July 1, 5:43 PM CST to 5:50 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Howard Lake to 5 mi SW of Buffalo
Rating: F3
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Coordinates: 45.120, -94.020

House completely destroyed on west side of Birch Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Knapp
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.150, -94.230

Barn destroyed. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 3 mi W of Rice Lake
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.020, -94.220

Barn collapse killing seven cows. Silo blown over. Roof damage to farmhouse. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 2 mi S of Cokato
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.050, -94.200

Barn collapse. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 2 mi W of Cokato
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.080, -94.230

Eight grain bins destroyed. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Cokato
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.080, -94.200

Roof damage. Semitrailer blown over. Church steeple blown over. Township hall sustained heavy damage including roof blown off and wall collapse. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: July 1, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Richmond
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.450, -94.530

Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:45 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 3 mi N of Cokato
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.130, -94.200

Farm building blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:46 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 1 mi NE of Cokato
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.100, -94.180

Turkey barn destroyed. About 4,000 turkeys lost.

Hail, Renville

When: July 1, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 2 mi SE of Lakeside
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.800, -94.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: July 1, 5:52 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Greenleaf
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.000, -94.500

15 acres of trees blown down on east side of Lake Willie. Roof torn off shed about one half mile nw of town. Barn destroyed 2 miles nw of Greenleaf.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: July 1, 5:52 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Hutchinson
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 44.880, -94.370

Mobile home flipped over. Trees reported down in the Belle Lake area. Windspeed reported by radio station.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: July 1, 5:54 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Sherman
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 44.950, -94.130

Trees blown down on Flower Avenue. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: July 1, 5:55 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Glencoe
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.770, -94.150

Roof damage to high school. Building under construction toppled at garden center.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: July 1, 5:55 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Winsted
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Coordinates: 44.970, -94.050

Tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Annandale
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.270, -94.130

Large tree blown down. Estimated windspeed and time.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Howard Lake
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.070, -94.080

Tree blown onto house. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: July 1, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 20 mi S of St Cloud
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.280, -94.170

4 inch diameter branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Renville

When: July 1, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Renville County, Buffalo Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.730, -94.620

Tornado, Wright

When: July 1, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Waverly to 1 mi of Waverly
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Coordinates: 45.050, -94.000

Damage path in the town of Waverly was 1 block wide by 7 blocks long. Garages and barns blown down. Roofs ripped off.

Lightning, Stearns

When: July 1, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, St Cloud
Coordinates: 45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning struck tree next to house resulting in burst water pipe.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Clearwater
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 45.420, -94.050

Windows blown in at apartment building. Trees down.

Hail, McLeod

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Hutchinson
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.880, -94.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Watertown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.850

Several large trees blown onto houses.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Maple Lake to Monticello
Measured: 90 kt (104 mph)
Coordinates: 45.230, -94.000

Three airplanes and two hangars destroyed at Maple Lake airport. Eight foot silo blown onto barn killing 18 cows and 6 steers. Farmstead damage estimated at $150,000. Numerous trees down in town. Roof damage to senior citizen apartment building.

Tornado, Wright

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Monticello to 6 mi S of Monticello
Rating: F2
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 550 yd
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.930

Two tornadoes converged on the Prairie Acres housing development 1 south of Monticello at about the same time. Extensive damage in area.

Tornado, Wright

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Monticello to 2 mi of Monticello
Rating: F2
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Coordinates: 45.270, -93.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Buffalo
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.180, -93.900

Mobile home cut in half by fallen tree. One aircraft overturned at local airport. High school gymnasium lost part of its roof. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:15 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Monticello
Measured: 95 kt (109 mph)
Property damage: $20 million
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.820

While several tornadoes converged on the southern edge of town, hurricane force winds battered the northern portions. The intersection of Interstate 94 and highway 25 was hardest hit by downburst winds resulting in extensive roof damage. Every tree in Ellison Park damaged. Roof ripped off automobile dealership flung into new car area destroying 75 new cars and trucks. Numerous recreational vehicles at RV dealership totaled. Over 200 structures significantly damaged. 61 homes and apartment buildings declared uninhabitable. 30 factories closed. Northern States Power transmission towers blown down. 2500 trees lost. Air conditioning unit blown off high school roof. Parked truck blown two thirds of a block. $100 million dollars damage estimate in Wright county. Called worst storm in 60 year history of Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: July 1, 6:15 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Big Lake
Measured: 95 kt (109 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 45.330, -93.770

Five airplanes overturned at local airport. Roof blown off lumberyard, injurying a motorist. Fire hall doors blown off. Hundreds of trees blown down. Roofs ripped off numerous structures including middle school, apartment building and hardware store. Traffic lights down. Restaurant destroyed. Police car blown off the road. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:16 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Albertville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 45.230, -93.670

Numerous trees blown down. Scattered roof damage. In neighboring Otsego, silos toppled and a mobile home destroyed. Roof damage in Otsego and St. Michael. Several Otsego elementary schools experience roof damage. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: July 1, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Delano
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.050, -93.800

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: July 1, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Elk River
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.580

Roof blown off apartment building. Numerous large trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: July 1, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, 2 mi SE of Zimmerman
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.430, -93.550

Hundreds of trees blown down at Girl Scout Camp. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: July 1, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Dayton
Measured: 73 kt (84 mph)
Coordinates: 45.230, -93.520

Numerous large trees blown down. Approximately 300 trees down.

Hail, Hennepin

When: July 1, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Maple Grove
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 45.150, -93.480

Strong winds also blew down trees and tipped over boats and sheds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 1, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Carver County, New Germany
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates: 44.880, -93.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 1, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Ramsey
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Coordinates: 45.250, -93.430

Gas station roof damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 1, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Coon Rapids
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 45.170, -93.320

200 trees blown down on Bunker Hills golf course. 20 corporate tents in preparation for upcoming senior PGA event destroyed. Roof damage also reported.

Hail, Carver

When: July 1, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Hamburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.730, -93.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: July 1, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Brooklyn Park
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 45.120, -93.330

Trees and power lines down. Similar damage also reported in Brooklyn Center, and Champlin. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 1, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 7 mi SE of Arlington
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.530, -93.980

Large trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 1, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Fridley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 45.080, -93.250

Large trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Carver

When: July 1, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Young America
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 1, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Young America
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.900

Barn collapse. Trailer home moved 20 feet. Woman inside trailer received minor injuries. Numerous trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Anoka

When: July 1, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, St Francis
Rating: F1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Coordinates: 45.400, -93.370

Touchdown 3 miles west of downtown St. Francis. Barn collapse.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: July 1, 6:54 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, 5 mi N of Elk River
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.370, -93.580

Large tree branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Isanti

When: July 1, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Isanti County, 5 mi SW of Bradford
Rating: F1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Coordinates: 45.480, -93.430

Touchdown 3 miles west of downtown St Francis. Barn collapse.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 1, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Anoka
Measured: 85 kt (98 mph)
Coordinates: 45.200, -93.400

Thousands of trees uprooted and power poles blown down . Headstones blown over in cemetary. Roof ripped off apartment building. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 1, 7:02 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Anoka Co Blaine Arpt
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph)
Coordinates: 45.130, -93.220

Trees uprooted. One tree fell onto a truck.

Tornado, Washington

When: July 1, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Forest Lake to 2 mi E of Forest Lake
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Coordinates: 45.270, -92.950

Touchdown on south shore of Forest Lake.

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:16 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1 mi S of Jordan
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 44.650, -93.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: July 1, 7:16 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.280

Hail, Carver

When: July 1, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Chanhassen
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.870, -93.530

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3 mi NE of Jordan
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 44.700, -93.580

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3 mi W of Shakopee
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.580

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Marystown
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.720, -93.550

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Lydia
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.650, -93.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: July 1, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Hugo
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.170, -93.000

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chisago

When: July 1, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Chisago County, Lindstrom
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.380, -92.850

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3 mi NE of Jordan
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 44.700, -93.580

Hail, Scott

When: July 1, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Prior Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.720, -93.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Isanti

When: July 1, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Isanti County, Braham
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.730, -93.170

Car blown into ditch. Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 1, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, Dawson
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 44.930, -96.070

Tree damage.

Hail, Goodhue

When: July 1, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, Vasa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.500, -92.720

Tornado, Renville

When: July 1, 8:59 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 5 mi N of Olivia
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 44.850, -94.980

Hail, Goodhue

When: July 1, 9:15 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, Red Wing
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.570, -92.530

Tornado, Kandiyohi

When: July 1, 9:15 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 5 mi E of Blomkest
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 44.950, -94.930

Thunderstorm Wind, Blue Earth

When: July 1, 10:11 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, Mankato
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.170, -94.020

10 inch diameter branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicollet

When: July 1, 10:23 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, North Mankato
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 44.180, -94.020

Shed blown over. Estimated windspeed.

What these are

Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 1997 Warnings in Minnesota, July 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5614782, 5615975, 5614783, 5615976, 5615977, 5616298, 5615978, 5616215, 5616302, 5616218, 5616223, 5616217, 5616303, 5615979, 5615980, 5615981, 5616296, 5616297, 5614786, 5615982, 5614787, 5615983, 5615984, 5616219, 5614788, 5616220, 5615985, 5616221, 5616224, 5614791, 5615986, 5616226, 5616304, 5616307, 5616308, 5616309, 5614853, 5615987, 5616091, 5616305, and more.