Minnesota, 1998

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, June 26 to 27, 1998

June 26 to 27, 1998 · NWS MPX · 94 events in 30 counties and zones

47 thunderstorm wind, 36 hail, 4 tornado, 4 flash flood, 1 lightning, 1 funnel cloud, 1 flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 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
3
Injuries
0
Property damage
$2.5 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
94

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 Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:39 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

47 thunderstorm wind, 36 hail, 4 tornado, 4 flash flood, 1 lightning, 1 funnel cloud, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Faribault

When
June 26, 12:40 PM CST
Where
Faribault County, 2 mi S of Winnebago
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
43.730, -94.170

Hail, Meeker

When
June 26, 3:34 PM CST
Where
Meeker County, 3 mi S of Grove City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
45.100, -94.700

Hail, Stearns

When
June 26, 4:10 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, Paynesville
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.380, -94.730

Hail, Meeker

When
June 26, 4:10 PM CST
Where
Meeker County, 4 mi NE of Crow River
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
45.280, -94.680

Hail, Stearns

When
June 26, 4:10 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, 5 mi SE of Paynesville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.330, -94.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Freeborn

When
June 26, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Freeborn County, Alden
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
43.670, -93.580

Trees down. Damage to sheds and barns.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When
June 26, 5:45 PM CST
Where
Steele County, Owatonna
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
44.080, -93.220

Roof ripped off mobile home. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Freeborn

When
June 26, 5:50 PM CST
Where
Freeborn County, 1 mi NW of Oakland
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
43.680, -93.080

Barn down.

Tornado, Freeborn

When
June 26, 5:53 PM CST
Where
Freeborn County, 1 mi E of Oakland
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
43.680, -93.070

Barn and silo down. Trees blown. Sixteen foot doors blown off cattle shed.

Hail, Wright

When
June 26, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Wright County, Maple Lake
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.230, -94.000

Hail, Sherburne

When
June 26, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Sherburne County, Elk River
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.300, -93.580

Hailed for 10 minutes.

Hail, Anoka

When
June 26, 6:08 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Ramsey
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
45.250, -93.430

Hail, Anoka

When
June 26, 6:10 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Ramsey
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
45.250, -93.430

Hail, Anoka

When
June 26, 6:20 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Andover
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.230, -93.300

Hail, Stearns

When
June 26, 6:40 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, 5 mi N of Kimball
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.380, -94.300

Flash Flood, Hennepin

When
June 26, 7:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where
Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rapid rainfall of 1 to 3 inches resulted in street flooding. Traffic was halted on Interstate 35W at Diamond Lake Rd. Flooding also reported at Interstate 494 and Penn Ave.

Hail, Sherburne

When
June 26, 7:00 PM CST
Where
Sherburne County, 4 mi NW of Big Lake
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.370, -93.820

Tornado, Sibley

When
June 26, 7:07 PM CST
Where
Sibley County, 2 mi S of Gibbon
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
25 yd
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.500, -94.520

Tornado, Le Sueur

When
June 26, 7:12 PM CST
Where
Le Sueur County, 1 mi E of Le Center
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.400, -93.720

Hail, Wright

When
June 26, 7:15 PM CST
Where
Wright County, 5 mi W of Monticello
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.300, -93.920

Hail, Sibley

When
June 26, 7:15 PM CST
Where
Sibley County, 7 mi NW of Winthrop
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.620, -94.470

Hail, McLeod

When
June 26, 7:17 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, 6 mi S of Stewart
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.630, -94.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Sueur

When
June 26, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Le Sueur County, New Prague
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.550, -93.570

Hail, Le Sueur

When
June 26, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Le Sueur County, New Prague
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.550, -93.570

Hail, Scott

When
June 26, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Scott County, New Prague
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.550, -93.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When
June 26, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Scott County, New Prague
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.550, -93.570

Lightning, Stearns

When
June 26, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, Meire Grove
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Man struck by lightning while working in his hay field.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When
June 26, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Sibley County, 4 mi E of Green Isle
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.680, -93.930

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Yellow Medicine

When
June 26, 8:05 PM CST
Where
Yellow Medicine County, 5 mi N of Burr
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
44.820, -96.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
June 26, 8:05 PM CST
Where
Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.970, -93.150

Power lines blown down. Estimated windspeed. 1,800 trees blown down in St. Paul by end of night.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When
June 26, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Dakota County, Farmington
Measured
70 kt (81 mph)
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
44.630, -93.150

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 8:12 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 4 mi W of Dundas
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.430, -93.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 26, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 3 mi NW of Faribault
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.330, -93.320

Trees and small bldg blown down near Roberds Lake. Estimated windspeed.

Flash Flood, Dakota

When
June 26, 8:15 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where
Dakota County, 5 mi E of Farmington
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered numerous roadways in county.

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 8:20 PM CST
Where
Rice County, Faribault
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.300, -93.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 26, 8:20 PM CST
Where
Rice County, Faribault
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.300, -93.270

Hail, Dakota

When
June 26, 8:20 PM CST
Where
Dakota County, 3 mi W of Waterford
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.480, -93.220

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 8:25 PM CST
Where
Rice County, Faribault
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
44.300, -93.270

Windshields broken.

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 8:25 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 4 mi S of Dundas
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.380, -93.220

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When
June 26, 8:29 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, Lester Prairie
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.880, -94.050

Tree blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Douglas

When
June 26, 8:30 PM CST
Where
Douglas County, Carlos
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.970, -95.300

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 8:31 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 3 mi S of Northfield
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.430, -93.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Douglas

When
June 26, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Douglas County, Alexandria
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
45.880, -95.380

40 trees blown down at golf course. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Lac Qui Parle

When
June 26, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Lac Qui Parle County, 11 mi W of Madison
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.020, -96.430

Hail, Swift

When
June 26, 8:35 PM CST
Where
Swift County, 4 mi SE of Appleton
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.170, -95.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When
June 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, Brooten
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.500, -95.120

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pope

When
June 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where
Pope County, 7 mi SE of Sedan
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.520, -95.150

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellow Medicine

When
June 26, 8:40 PM CST
Where
Yellow Medicine County, Canby
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.700, -96.270

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When
June 26, 8:50 PM CST
Where
Kandiyohi County, Sunburg
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.350, -94.230

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When
June 26, 8:50 PM CST
Where
Todd County, 3 mi SW of Bertha
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
46.230, -95.120

Garage and grain bins destroyed. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When
June 26, 8:50 PM CST
Where
Todd County, 2 mi SW of Bertha
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
46.250, -95.100

Roof damage to silo and milking barn. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Stearns

When
June 26, 8:52 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, 3 mi SE of Holdingford
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
45.700, -94.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When
June 26, 9:00 PM CST
Where
Todd County, Long Prairie
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.970, -94.870

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Goodhue

When
June 26, 9:00 PM CST
Where
Goodhue County, 2 mi NW of Kenyon
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.300, -93.020

Trees down. Estimated windspeed. Also received 5 inches of rain.

Hail, Goodhue

When
June 26, 9:00 PM CST
Where
Goodhue County, Zumbrota
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
44.300, -92.670

Flash Flood, Rice

When
June 26, 9:00 PM CST to June 27, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Rice County, Northfield
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
44.354, -93.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Between 4 and 6 inches of rain resulted in flash flooding in the Northfield area. Portion of county road 78 washed out resulting in train derailment. Highway 19 bridge collapsed under the weight of a semi-truck and trailer. Decker Avenue along Spring Creek washed out between 90th and 100th streets. Extensive flood damage to roadways around Dennison.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When
June 26, 9:01 PM CST to 9:02 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, Albany
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.630, -94.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 26, 9:02 PM CST
Where
Rice County, Northfield
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.470, -93.170

Measured at the Northfield Safety Center.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When
June 26, 9:10 PM CST
Where
Dakota County, 2 mi NW of Castle Rock
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.570, -93.180

Roof torn off grain bin. Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chippewa

When
June 26, 9:15 PM CST
Where
Chippewa County, 1 mi W of Maynard
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.920, -95.480

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Flash Flood, Goodhue

When
June 26, 9:15 PM CST to June 27, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Goodhue County, Cannon Falls
Deaths
2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Slow moving thunderstorms dumped 4 to 6 inches of rain in threes hours over portions of Goodhue county. Zumbrota received 6.46", Sogn 4.38", Wanamingo 5.49". Flash flooding resulted in many road closures. The Shades of Sherwood Campground was evacuated where some campers were washed into the Zumbro River. Several people were rescued when they were carried into the river along with their camper. Over 100 campers were destroyed. Two deaths occurred along the Zumbro River between Wanamingo and Zumbrota. An elderly couple evacuating the campground drove into a washed out section of road, or the road gave way under the weight of their vehicle. It is presumed the couple escaped from their vehicle only to drown in the river. 400 residents of Cannon Falls were evacuated. Flooding also occurred upstream in Sogn where several homes received major flood damage. Damage estimate for entire county.

Hail, Redwood

When
June 26, 9:20 PM CST
Where
Redwood County, 1 mi E of Belview
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.600, -95.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
June 26, 9:25 PM CST
Where
Ramsey County, 3 mi N of St Paul
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.020, -93.150

Large tree limbs blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Meeker

When
June 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Meeker County, 4 mi SW of Watkins
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
45.280, -94.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 4 mi W of Shieldsville
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
44.370, -93.480

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When
June 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, St Cloud
Measured
69 kt (79 mph)
Reported by
METEOROLOGIST(NON NWS)
Coordinates
45.570, -94.170

Measured at St Cloud State University Meteorology department. Power lines and trees down throughout eastern two thirds of Stearns county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When
June 26, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Coon Rapids
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
45.170, -93.320

Trees uprooted. Roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When
June 26, 9:34 PM CST
Where
Benton County, Sauk Rapids
Measured
70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
45.600, -94.170

60 large trees damaged. Few businesses and homes damaged from wind or falling trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When
June 26, 9:41 PM CST to 9:53 PM CST
Where
Stearns County, St Cloud Muni Arpt
Measured
67 kt (77 mph)
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
45.550, -94.070

Powers lines down in St. Cloud.

Hail, Renville

When
June 26, 9:45 PM CST
Where
Renville County, 2 mi W of Renville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.800, -95.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When
June 26, 9:50 PM CST
Where
Sherburne County, Big Lake
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.330, -93.770

Power lines down.

Hail, Rice

When
June 26, 9:52 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 4 mi W of Dundas
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.430, -93.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When
June 26, 9:55 PM CST
Where
Wright County, Maple Lake
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.230, -94.000

Hail, Renville

When
June 26, 10:15 PM CST
Where
Renville County, Olivia
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
44.780, -94.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When
June 26, 10:15 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Ramsey
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.250, -93.430

Funnel Cloud, Hennepin

When
June 26, 10:15 PM CST
Where
Hennepin County, Rogers
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When
June 26, 10:24 PM CST
Where
Sherburne County, Big Lake
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.330, -93.770

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When
June 26, 10:25 PM CST
Where
Wright County, Maple Lake
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.230, -94.000

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When
June 26, 10:28 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, Hutchinson
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
44.880, -94.370

Trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Isanti

When
June 26, 10:30 PM CST
Where
Isanti County, Cambridge
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.580, -93.230

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When
June 26, 10:31 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, Brownton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.730, -94.350

Large branches blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When
June 26, 10:35 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Anoka
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
45.200, -93.400

Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When
June 26, 10:38 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, Hutchinson
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.880, -94.370

Large branches blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When
June 26, 10:43 PM CST
Where
Hennepin County, Eden Prairie
Measured
56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.850, -93.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When
June 26, 10:45 PM CST
Where
Anoka County, Lino Lakes
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
45.170, -93.120

20 homes sustained roof and structural damage. Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Goodhue

When
June 26, 10:45 PM CST
Where
Goodhue County, Goodhue
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
44.400, -92.630

Large trees and sign also blown down. Heavy rain flooded basements.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
June 26, 10:50 PM CST
Where
Washington County, Scandia
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
45.250, -92.820

Large trees blown down. Other damage reported in Forest Lake. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
June 26, 10:50 PM CST
Where
Washington County, Stillwater
Measured
80 kt (92 mph)
Property damage
$1.0 million
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
45.070, -92.830

Marina damaged. Pier broke lose from shore with 25 boats, some still occupied. Two other piers heavily damaged. Wind damage also reported in Oak Park Heights, Lake Elmo and Oakdale. Large tree limbs and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When
June 26, 10:55 PM CST
Where
Hennepin County, Minneapolis/St Paul
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
45.000, -93.480

Trees down around Lake Nokomis.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When
June 26, 11:00 PM CST
Where
McLeod County, Glencoe
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.770, -94.150

Large branch blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
June 26, 11:03 PM CST
Where
Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
44.970, -93.150

Trees down at Randolph and Hamilton. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
June 26, 11:07 PM CST
Where
Washington County, Cottage Grove
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
44.830, -92.880

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Scott

When
June 26, 11:07 PM CST to 11:09 PM CST
Where
Scott County, 1 mi S of Belle Plaine
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
44.620, -93.770

Flood, Goodhue

When
June 27, 3:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Goodhue forecast zone
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very heavy rainfall the previous 4 days caused the Cannon River to overflow its banks. The sewage treatment plant in Welch flooded. Roads were closed in Welch, and the Hidden Valley Campground was evacuated. Some locations in Goodhue county received over 11 inches of rainfall the week of June 22 through June 28 with the bulk of the rain falling between June 24 and June 28. One location just east of Zumbrota recorded 11.54". The Cannon River at Welch rose to 15 feet, exceeding the flood of record by 1 foot. The previous record of 14.01 feet occurred in the spring of 1965. By the morning of 6/27, water filled numerous city parks in Cannon Falls and caused washed out roads including portions of highway 19. One home flooded along highway 19. Homes and businesses flooded along highway 20. Hundreds of people were evacuated near the Cannon River in Cannon Falls. The Cannon River crested around noon on 6/27. Damage estimate to homes and businesses in Cannon Falls is 700 K.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Lightning, Stearns1998-06-2651MaleOutside/Open AreasDirect
Flash Flood, Goodhue1998-06-2656FemaleVehicle/Towed TrailerDirect
Flash Flood, Goodhue1998-06-2663MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerDirect

What these are

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.
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.
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.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Funnel Cloud
A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Minnesota in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Minnesota, 1998Warnings in Minnesota, June 1998

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: 5660426, 5660235, 5660236, 5660237, 5660238, 5658956, 5659014, 5659023, 5659024, 5660239, 5660446, 5660240, 5660241, 5660333, 5660448, 5659022, 5660447, 5659026, 5659025, 5660337, 5660449, 5660338, 5660242, 5660243, 5660335, 5660336, 5658957, 5660450, 5658942, 5660244, 5658941, 5660439, 5659027, 5660431, 5660245, 5660246, 5660444, 5660247, 5660442, 5660435, and more.