Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in North Dakota, August 8, 2001

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in North Dakota, August 8, 2001
Start: 2001-08-08T17:00
End: 2001-08-08T22:15
Location: North Dakota

August 8, 2001 · NWS FGF · 43 events in 9 counties and zones

29 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 3 flash flood, 2 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 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: 13
Property damage: $19 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 43

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, 1:02 PM CST, 3 hours 58 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 8, 1:02 PM CST, 3 hours 58 minutes before

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

...MAIN FORECAST CHALLENGE THIS PACKAGE IS CONVECTION WITH FROPA AND
THEN EXTENT OF COOLDOWN THEREAFTER...

.CURRENT OBSERVATIONAL OVERVIEW...
18Z MSAS ANALYSIS DEPICTED DOUBLE BARREL LOW STRUCTURE FROM EXTREME
SOUTHEAST MB PROVINCE TO NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA. SCATTERED
CONVECTION FIRING AHEAD OF FEATURE AND ASSOCIATED TROUGH FROM
EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA INTO MINNESOTA IN CONJUNCTION WITH STRONG
SURFACE-850MB WAA PUNCH...PER KMVX RADAR. FURTHER UPSTREAM PARENT
COLD FRONT WAS EVIDENT OVER NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA WITH GOOD
PRESSURE RISES NOTED IN WAKE OF BOUNDARY OVER MONTANA AND SASK
PROVINCE.

.FORECAST DETAILS...
THE GOOD NEWS IS MUCH WELCOME AND PROLONGED RELIEF ON THE WAY IN THE
FORM OF A STRONG COLD FRONT. HOWEVER...INITIALLY WE WILL HAVE TO THE
PAY THE PIPER IN THE PRICE OF SEVERE STORM THREAT THIS AFTN/EVE AS
INCREASING MOISTURE FLUX CONVERGENCE AND MID-LEVEL COOLING ENHANCES
CONVECTIVE POTENTIAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH FROPA. SEE SPC SWODY1 FOR
FURTHER DETAILS. EXPECT POP THREAT TO END FROM NW TO SE TONIGHT.
ALIGNED FLOW AND TIGHTENING PRESSURE GRADIENT SHOULD LEAD TO ACTIVE
NORTHWEST FLOW LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY AS MUCH COOLER AND LESS
HUMID AIR ADVECTS INTO THE REGION. LINGERING CYCLONIC FLOW COUPLED
WITH GOOD THICKNESS COOLING PROBABLY WILL LEAD TO DIURNAL DRIVEN
BROKEN CU DECK FORMATION ON THURSDAY. THESE FACTORS SHOULD RESULT IN
THE MERCURY STRUGGLING TO RISE MUCH OUT OF THE LOW TO MID 70S. WILL
MAKE GAME TIME DECISION ON WHETHER TO LINGER HEAT ADVISORY THIS
EVENING ACROSS SOUTHEAST ZONES.

.EXTENDED...UPPER LOW DROPS SOUTHEAST INTO LOWER HUDSON BAY BY EARLY
MONDAY WITH NORTHERN PLAINS UNDER NORTHWEST FLOW REGIME. PATTERN
SHIFTS A BIT TOWARD THE END OF THE PERIOD AS ANOTHER LOW PROGGED TO
DROP INTO THE PACIFIC NW WITH UPPER RIDGE STARTING TO REBUILD OVER
THE CENTRAL US. SEVERAL WEAK WAVES IN THE NORTHWEST FLOW SAT NIGHT
AND SUN MAY BRING A FEW SHOWERS. MRF HINTING AT OVERNIGHT CONVECTION
MON NIGHT/EARLY TUE...BUT THIS IS A BIG CHANGE FROM YESTERDAY AND
WILL LEAVE DRY FOR NOW. MEX/FMR NUMBERS SHOWING BELOW NORMAL TEMPS
EARLY TRENDING BACK TOWARD NORMAL LATE IN THE PERIOD WHICH LOOKS
REASONABLE.

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

BERG/GODON

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 8, 12:15 PM CST, 4 hours 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

Local storm report, Aug 8, 1:45 PM CST, 3 hours 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA/GRAND FORKS
245 PM CDT WED AUG 08 2001

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1250 AM    BUFFALO                   ND   67 MPH TSTM GUST
08/08/01   CASS                           MEASURED AT NORTH DAKOTA
                                          DOT SITE

0120 AM    HOPE                      ND   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   STEELE                         NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0120 AM    HOPE                      ND   .75 INCH HAIL
08/08/01   STEELE

0120 AM    HILLSBORO                 ND   110 MPH TSTM GUST
08/08/01   TRAILL                         SUSTAINED 100 MPH WINDS
                                          WITH GUST TO 110 MPH
                                          MEASURED BY DAVIS SYSTEM

0120 AM    HILLSBORO                 ND   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   TRAILL                         2400 TREES DOWN ALONG WITH
                                          23 MILES OF POWER LINES IN
                                          TOWN. 7 RAIL CARS TIPPED
                                          OVER NEAR CRYSTAL SUGAR
                                          PLANT

0120 AM    GRANDIN                   ND   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   CASS                           2 LARGE GRAIN BINS DOWN
                                          NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0130 AM    HALSTAD                   MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   NORMAN                         NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. ROOF
                                          TORN OFF POTATO WAREHOUSE

0145 AM    4 NE GEORGETOWN           MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   CLAY                           NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0215 AM    MAPLE BAY                 MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   POLK                           NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. TREE
                                          FELL ON CABIN. NUMEROUS
                                          BOAT DOCKS TIPPED OVER
                                          WITH BOATS LOOSE ON LAKE

0230 AM    ERSKINE                   MN   MOBILE HOME DESTROYED
08/08/01   POLK                           STORAGE SHED DESTOYED
                                          NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0230 AM    3 S BROOKS                MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   RED LAKE                       NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0230 AM    4 SE GARY                 MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   NORMAN                         5 INCH DIAMETER TREE
                                          BRANCHES DOWN

0245 AM    OGEMA                     MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   BECKER                         6 INCH DIAMETER TREE
                                          BRANCHES DOWN

0250 AM    7 W DEVILS LAKE           ND   .75 INCH HAIL
08/08/01   RAMSEY

0300 AM    9 SE LAKE GEORGE          MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   HUBBARD                        2 FT DIAMETER TREES DOWN

0300 AM    TWO INLETS                MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   BECKER                         2 INCH DIAMETER TREE
                                          BRANCHES DOWN

0315 AM    BEMIDJI ARPT              MN   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   BELTRAMI                       POWER LINES DOWN. KNOCKED
                                          OUT BJI AWOS

0330 AM    2 SE LARIMORE             ND   WIND DAMAGE
08/08/01   GRAND FORKS                    3 INCH DIAMETER TREE
                                          BRANCHES DOWN

NNNN

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 3 flash flood, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Benson

When: August 8, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 2 mi SW of Maddock
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.069, -99.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Benson

When: August 8, 5:15 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 4 mi NW of Maddock
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 46.433, -97.467

The tornado began northwest of Maddock and travelled along a path intermittently to near Flora and near Oberon. A 40x60 foot metal shed was demolished. About 2 miles northeast of Maddock, a grain bin was pulled from its foundation and thrown about 500 yards. A hopper bin and concrete pad were also turned on end at this location. Many large trees were flattened all along the path until the tornado weakened from Flora to near Oberon.

Tornado, Benson

When: August 8, 5:18 PM CST to 5:20 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 2 mi NW of Maddock
Rating: F2
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 46.917, -98.000

A grain elevator was heavily damaged and will likely be shut down for the rest of the year. Many trees were uprooted and a camper was overturned. 1.5 miles of powerline was blown down with 24 poles snapped.

Hail, Benson

When: August 8, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 9 mi NW of Maddock
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.967, -97.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When: August 8, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 9 mi NW of Maddock
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.950, -97.633

Branches were blown down.

Hail, Benson

When: August 8, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 4 mi SW of Esmond
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.083, -97.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When: August 8, 5:22 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 6 mi E of Esmond
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.767, -97.617

A large tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When: August 8, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 5 mi NE of Maddock
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.950, -99.567

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When: August 8, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 4 mi NW of Oberon
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.000, -99.583

Several trees were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When: August 8, 6:22 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, Park River
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.067, -99.667

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: August 8, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, 4 mi N of Pekin
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.067, -99.667

Hail, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 12 mi N of Niagara
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.000, -99.833

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: August 8, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, Michigan City
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.983, -99.550

A large tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When: August 8, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, Grafton
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.033, -99.633

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: August 8, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, Mc Ville
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.017, -99.450

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:04 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 4 mi N of Larimore
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.767, -97.550

Many trees were blown down at the Turtle River State Park, knocking out power to the west side of the park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Griggs

When: August 8, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Griggs County, Cooperstown
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.950, -99.267

Branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Gilby
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.433, -97.683

Many homes in Gilby had some sort of wind damage. The boards on an outdoor hockey rink were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Emerado
Measured: 90 kt (104 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.400, -97.733

Hail, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Emerado
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.833, -98.317

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:16 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks Afb
Measured: 99 kt (114 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 48.167, -97.867

Trees and powerlines were blown down on the base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:23 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.017, -98.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:23 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 4 mi N of Grand Forks
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.867, -96.783

A double circuit transmission line and 15 poles were damaged by the wind.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 48.417, -97.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:26 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Measured: 88 kt (101 mph)
Injuries: 12 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $18 million
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.767, -98.167

The NWS Davis system measured a 101 mph wind gust. The strong wind resulted in many trees being blown down and a citywide state of emergency. Trees fell on vehicles, fences, and homes. The wind blew over traffic lights, signs, fences, and street lights. Over 50 streets in town were impassable as an estimated 3000 or more trees were flattened. 11,000 customers lost power with hundreds of power poles damaged. A 32 unit apartment building lost its roof and many homes had shingle damage. One home under construction was demolished and a semi truck was blown over. The city had to restrict water use because of the power loss. The University of North Dakota cancelled classes on the 9th.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barnes

When: August 8, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, 2 mi SW of Rogers
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.450, -98.117

Branches were blown down.

Hail, Barnes

When: August 8, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, 2 mi SW of Rogers
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.367

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 5 mi SE of Thompson
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.367

Trees were blown down.

Hail, Barnes

When: August 8, 7:47 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, Valley City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.950, -97.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Barnes

When: August 8, 7:47 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, Valley City
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.936, -98.072 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The strong wind blew trees and powerlines down, knocking out power to 25 percent of the city. The most wind damage was near Valley City State University.

Flash Flood, Grand Forks

When: August 8, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.950, -97.183

Many streets and basements were flooded, mostly due to the loss of power at lift stations. Several streets were closed or impassable.

Thunderstorm Wind, Traill

When: August 8, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Traill County, 6 mi E of Cummings
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.050

Branches were blown down.

Hail, Barnes

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, Fingal
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Barnes

When: August 8, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, Fingal
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.050, -98.233

Many trees and powerlines were blown down and several roofs were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: August 8, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Fargo Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 47.050, -98.233

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: August 8, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Fargo
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.733, -97.017

Roof damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: August 8, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Alice
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.917, -98.000

Trees were blown down onto homes and powerlines, cutting power to the town. A machine shed had its walls blown out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: August 8, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 3 mi W of Alice
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.433, -97.683

A grain bin was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ransom

When: August 8, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Ransom County, Lisbon
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.456, -97.657 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees were blown down.

Flash Flood, Barnes

When: August 8, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Barnes County, Valley City
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.517, -97.100

Street flooding was reported and several cars stalled in the high water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ransom

When: August 8, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Ransom County, Lisbon
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.767, -97.850

Flash Flood, Cass

When: August 8, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Fargo
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.767, -97.850

Street flooding was reported along with several manhole covers blown off by the water pressure.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ransom

When: August 8, 10:15 PM CST
Where: Ransom County, 10 mi E of Lisbon
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.917, -96.817

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Dakota in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history The tornado archive for North Dakota, 2001 Warnings in North Dakota, 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: 5265733, 5265734, 5265738, 5265735, 5265736, 5265737, 5265739, 5264300, 5264301, 5264384, 5264385, 5264386, 5264387, 5264388, 5264389, 5264500, 5264390, 5264501, 5264391, 5264392, 5264393, 5264394, 5264499, 5264395, 5264396, 5264397, 5264398, 5264399, 5264400, 5264502, 5264401, 5264402, 5264403, 5264404, 5264405, 5264492, 5264493, 5264503, 5264494, 5264495, and more.