Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, August 8, 2001

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, August 8, 2001
Start: 2001-08-08T13:00
End: 2001-08-08T22:00
Location: Minnesota

August 8, 2001 · NWS FGF · 53 events in 14 counties and zones

49 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood, 2 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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: 0
Property damage: $1.9 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 53

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 8, 8:50 AM CST, 4 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 8, 8:50 AM CST, 4 hours 10 minutes before

FORECAST DISCUSSION FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
950 AM CDT WED AUG 8 2001

.CURRENT OBSERVATIONAL OVERVIEW...
14Z MSAS ANALYSIS DEPICTED LOW PRESSURE OVER EXTREME SOUTHEAST MB
PROVINCE WITH ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT DRAPED ACROSS NORTHWEST NORTH
DAKOTA. FURTHER UPSTREAM HIGH PRESSURE WAS SITUATED OVER ALBERTA
PROVINCE WITH STRONG PRESSURE RISES NOTED AHEAD OF FEATURE OVER
NORTHERN MONTANA. LATEST KMVX RADAR INDICATED NARROW BAND OF
CONVECTION FROM NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TO SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA IN
CONJUNCTION WITH SURFACE TO 850MB WARM ADVECTION PUNCH.

.FORECAST DETAILS...
CURRENT FORECAST LOOKS IN BALLPARK WITH RESPECT TO ONGOING AND
IMPENDING SCATTERED CONVECTION THREAT. PLAN ON ONLY SOME COSMETIC
CHANGES FOR TIMING DETAILS AND WORDING.

.FGF...HEAT ADVISORY ALONG AND SOUTH OF A FAR-PKD LINE.

BERG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 8, 12:15 PM CST, 45 minutes before

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-082045-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
115 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2001

...RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF EASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA...NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA LATE THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...

SYNOPSIS...A COLD FRONT ACROSS NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA WILL PUSH EAST
THIS AFTERNOON. WITH VERY MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIR IN PLACE THIS FRONT
WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT LATE THIS AFTERNOON
CONTINUING INTO THE EVENING HOURS.

AREA OF CONCERN...A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED
ACROSS EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

TIME...START AFTER 3 PM AND SHOULD MOVE OUT OF THE AREA BY MIDNIGHT.

TYPE OF HAZARD...MAINLY LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. LOCALLY
HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

BERG

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

49 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: August 8, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Norman County, 5 mi E of Borup
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.183, -96.417

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: August 8, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 6 mi NW of Ponsford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.033, -95.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Hubbard

When: August 8, 2:24 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, Park Rapids Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 46.900, -95.067

Thunderstorm Wind, Hubbard

When: August 8, 2:39 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, Akeley
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.000, -94.683

A Minnesota DOT RWIS site measured a 62 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hubbard

When: August 8, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, Park Rapids
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.917, -95.067

Numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: August 8, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Radium
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.233, -96.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Kittson

When: August 8, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Kittson County, Hallock
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.783, -96.933

A tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: August 8, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Grygla
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.300, -95.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 7:36 PM CST
Where: Polk County, East Grand Forks
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.933, -97.017

The strong wind hit East Grand Forks, knocking over trees, powerlines, signs, and traffic lights. An estimated 400 trees were flattened by the storm, falling on roofs, vehicles, and homes. Power was knocked out for about half of the city. Windows in the new city hall building were broken and the roof on an apartment building was torn off. A semi trailer was also blown over as were the outer boards on an outdoor skating rink.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Crookston Muni Arpt
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.833, -96.617

A 79 mph wind gust was measured at the Crookston airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Crookston
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.783, -96.617

Many trees and powerlines were blown down and several buildings were damaged. One tree fell on a car, totalling it. A portion of a brick building was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When: August 8, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Pennington County, 10 mi SW of Thief River Falls
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.033, -96.333

Numerous trees were blown down.

Flash Flood, Polk

When: August 8, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Polk County, East Grand Forks
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.774, -96.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Street and basement flooding was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: August 8, 8:07 PM CST
Where: Norman County, Halstad
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.350, -96.833

A 73 mph wind gust was measured by a Minnesota DOT RWIS site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Pennington County, Thief River Falls Ar
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 48.067, -96.183

The AWOS at the Thief River Falls airport measured a 66 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, Red Lake Falls
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.883, -96.267

A 77 mph wind gust was reported, with many trees blown down. The roof of a manufacturing building was torn off and several grain bins were damaged. 2000 customers were without power as 50 power poles were downed. Another building roof was torn off and thrown 300 feet into another building. A mobile home was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 4 mi E of Brooks
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 47.817, -95.917

6 large grain bins were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 6 mi SE of Red Lake Falls
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 47.817, -96.183

A pole barn sustained roof and door damage and a communications tower was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 4 mi S of Red Lake Falls
Property damage: $110,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 47.833, -96.267

An airplane hanger and a crop dusting airplane were destroyed by the strong wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 4 mi SE of Red Lake Falls
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.850, -96.200

A 3 stall garage was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake of the Woods

When: August 8, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Lake of the Woods County, 3 mi SE of Baudette
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.683, -94.550

A large tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: August 8, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Norman County, 5 mi E of Borup
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.183, -96.417

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Erskine
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.667, -96.017

Trees, powerlines, and signs were destroyed by the strong wind. A greenhouse and a storage shed were demolished. A trailer home was flipped over and several roofs sustained damage. The town restricted water use.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mahnomen

When: August 8, 8:47 PM CST
Where: Mahnomen County, Mahnomen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.317, -95.983

A 60 mph wind gust was measured by a Minnesota DOT RWIS site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: August 8, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Clay County, 4 mi N of Felton
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.133, -96.517

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, Oklee
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 47.833, -95.867

The roof was torn off a new apartment building and blown into a field. Many trees were blown down, some into homes and powerlines. The roof was torn off of one mobile home while another was flipped over. 13 grain bins were damaged, 6 completely destroyed. The county highway department building was reduced to rubble and one truck inside was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: August 8, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Clay County, Dilworth
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.883, -96.700

Numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: August 8, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 2 mi SW of Oklee
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.817, -95.900

8 grain bins were damaged and a semi trailer was overturned.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 8:58 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Fosston Muni Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.583, -95.767

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 8:58 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Trail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.783, -95.700

Many trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 8:58 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 3 mi NW of Trail
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.817, -95.750

A barn was lifted off its foundation and carried 20 feet, which destroyed it. The roof and walls of a mobile home were torn apart and blown over a half a mile away. A car was also heavily damaged.

Tornado, Polk

When: August 8, 9:05 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Gully
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 47.767, -95.633

An auto repair shop had its roof torn off. Many trees were uprooted, falling on signs, powerlines, homes, and garages. Several grain bins were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: August 8, 9:05 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 4 mi N of Gully
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.817, -95.633

36 oak and ash trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: August 8, 9:07 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 3 mi S of Gonvick
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.683, -95.500

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: August 8, 9:08 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, Gonvick
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.733, -95.500

A large tree was blown down and roof damage was reported to homes and businesses.

Tornado, Clearwater

When: August 8, 9:10 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 2 mi N of Gonvick
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.767, -95.500

Numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: August 8, 9:15 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 20 mi N of Detroit Lakes
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.100, -95.833

Powerlines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:15 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Solway
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.517, -95.133

A large tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mahnomen

When: August 8, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Mahnomen County, 10 mi E of Waubun
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.183, -95.733

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: August 8, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 3 mi NE of Clearbrook
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.733, -95.367

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Wilton
Property damage: $500
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.500, -95.000

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 9:28 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, Pelican Rapids
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.567, -96.083

Thunderstorm Wind, Hubbard

When: August 8, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, 4 mi W of Laporte
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.217, -94.850

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, (Bji)bemidji Arpt
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.517, -94.933

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 5 mi NE of Bemidji
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.533, -94.817

Many trees were blown down at Lake Bemidji State Park. One tree fell on a car and another damaged a camper.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 20 mi N of Bemidji
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.767, -94.900

A tree fell on a garage, completely destroying it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 9:37 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 10 mi E of Pelican Rapids
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.567, -95.867

1000 customers were without power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: August 8, 9:43 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Tenstrike
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.650, -94.683

Branches were blown down.

Flash Flood, Norman

When: August 8, 9:45 PM CST
Where: Norman County, Ada
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.327, -96.455 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Basement flooding was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, Pelican Rapids
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.567, -96.083

Trees were blown down and a building under construction was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, Perham
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.600, -95.567

Powerlines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, New York Mills
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.517, -95.383

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: August 8, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, Pelican Rpds Muni Ar
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.633, -96.100

An airplane was torn from its moorings and flipped over.

What these are

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 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2001 Warnings in Minnesota, August 2001

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: 5265521, 5265522, 5265523, 5265524, 5265525, 5265526, 5265527, 5265528, 5265665, 5265529, 5265530, 5265531, 5265586, 5265587, 5265588, 5265589, 5265667, 5265668, 5265669, 5265670, 5265590, 5265591, 5265671, 5265592, 5265593, 5265594, 5265595, 5265666, 5265596, 5265672, 5265673, 5265597, 5265674, 5265598, 5265728, 5265599, 5265600, 5265601, 5265602, 5265603, and more.