Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Minnesota, July 7 to 8, 2000

Several large trees down in Princeton. Top of silo blown off.

Large trees and powerlines blown down.

Large trees felled.

Power lines down.

Several trees down.

Damage survey confirmed downburst initially hit in extreme southeast Blaine, just west of Centennial High School. Damage was produced for about 1/2 mile as it travelled southeast. Hundreds of trees downed, including some on houses and vehicles. Survey revealed that the downburst was embedded within a southeast moving mesocyclone. The downed trees in Blaine were mostly oriented from southeast to northwest, while those in Circle Pines were mostly from northwest to southeast. It is possible (though uncertain) that this mesocyclone was the same one that moved from Little Canada to St. Paul, producing wind damage.

Hundreds of trees down from the northeast side of Reshanau Lake to Amelia Lake, near Interstate 35E and County Road J. A truck was overturned. This was the apparent start of a mesocyclone that produced occasional downburst damage, from White Bear Lake, across Lake Elmo (where it produced a brief tornado - see entry), and into Wisconsin (see Pierce County). Interestingly, the vast majority of the damage was due to winds blowing from southeast to northwest, even though the mesocyclone was travelling to the southeast.

Roof damage to lumber building near I-694 and 35W.

Damage survey showed that an intense downburst-producing mesocyclone moved southeast from Little Canada (near Interstates 694 and 35E) to the east side of St. Paul (the Beaver Lake area). Thousands of trees were down as well as numerous power lines. Many trees came down on houses and vehicles. An unconfirmed funnel cloud was reported just south of Lake Phalen, but there was no indication of any tornado touchdown according to the damage survey. Interestingly, the vast majority of the downed trees were oriented from southeast to northwest, even though the mesocyclone was moving to the southeast. It is possible (but uncertain) that this mesocyclone was the same one that hit Blaine and Circle Pines of Anoka County (see entry).

Numerous large trees down. Major roof damage to residence due to falling tree. Windows broken in several homes. Large signs down at Belair and County Road E.

Approximately 765 new cars damaged at several dealerships.

Numerous trees down, some on houses and vehicles. Three mobile homes in Whispering Oaks Park in Oakdale were severely damaged by falling trees, while two other mobile homes sustained moderate damage.

Several buildings blown down.

Several large trees down.

Damaged crops include corn, soybean, and various garden vegetables along a two mile path through Lake Elmo, according to the Courier News.

Numerous large trees down.

Tornado occurred near County Rd. 17 and County Rd. 10. Numerous trees down and a few mobile homes were damaged before tornado moved into an open field. This tornado was produced by a mesocyclone that began producing downburst damage in Lino Lakes and continued moving southeast into Wisconsin (Pierce County).

Corn stripped in Wacouta, Welch and Florence townships as storm tracked to the southeast.

Numerous trees down.

Trees felled.

Touchdown occurred over open field. A few large trees reported down across area.

Touchdown occurred briefly on the northwest shore of Lake Minnewaska, then moved onto the lake and dissipated. No damage reported.

Though viewed by law enforcement, spotters and storm chasers, there was no touchdown.

Touchdown developed over open field, no damage reported.

Hail covered the ground.

Four inch diameter tree limbs severed.

Widespread flooding in Eagan and neighboring portions of Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Burnsville. Between 6 and 12 inches of rain fell during this 3 hour event. One man died of drowning after being swept into a culvert. Over 200 homes in Eagan incurred water damage. Numerous homes in Rosemount and Burnsville reported basement flooding. Minor to moderate damage to forty homes in Burnsville. Numerous roads in Eagan, Burnsville and Rosemount flooded; numerous vehicles stalled. Portions of Pilot Knob Rd. destroyed along with retaining wall.

Report occurred at 44th and France.

Hail occurred in southwest Minneapolis. Northern States Power reported a total of 135,000 residents across the Twin Cities metro area were without power for several hours.

Large tree blown down near lake Harriet.