Flash Flooding and Flood in Minnesota, June 7 to 8, 2005

Walnut sized hail fell for 10 minutes in Leon Township, Section 8.

Three inch branches were downed.

Nickel sized hail was reported south of Winnebago. One half inch diameter hail fell in Winnebago.

Dime sized hail was reported in Merton Township at the intersection of 69th Street and County Road 61.

Small branches were downed by nickel to quarter sized hail.

Nickel to quarter sized hail was reported.

Tree branches and leaves were downed by penny sized hail.

Significant flooding was reported in the North Fork Zumbro River watershed during the evening of the 7th after 3 to 6 inches of rain fell. A total of 5.47 inches of rain was recorded in Wanamingo in 24 hours, 2.8 inches of which fell between 9:30 and 10:30 PM. An unnamed creek which flows into the North Fork Zumbro River rose 20 feet above its normal 1 foot level and rushed over Highway 1 about 1 mile south of the Highway 30 intersection in Wanamingo Township, about 4 miles west of Wanamingo. By 10:30 PM the creek completed covered the road in rushing water up to 2.5 feet deep and shortly thereafter two separate vehicles were swept off the roadway and were washed down the creek. One vehicle, a pickup truck, was found in a nearby ditch with a smashed windshield and badly damaged hood. The body of the driver, a 47-year-old man, was found three quarters of a mile downstream under farm equipment nearly a day and a half later when the water finally subsided. The man, who lived in Hayfield, was on his way to work in Cannon Falls. The other vehicle that was washed off the road and into the creek was a sedan. The driver, a 50-year-old Kenyon woman who was on her way home from work, exited the car through an open window after traveling about ½ mile downstream. She floated on her back down the creek until lightning illuminated a nearby fencepost which she grabbed hold of until rescuers arrived two hours later. Incredibly she survived the ordeal with only bruises. The rushing creek was also responsible for washing out 200 feet of gradual slope along Highway 1 near the road. Scattered debris was also found in farm fields along the creek's banks for several miles. In addition, an unnamed creek that flows into the North Fork Zumbro River about 2 miles east of Wanamingo inundated the Shades of Sherwood campground around 10:30 PM.

Quarter sized hail fell for 10 minutes in Wanamingo Township, Section 16.

Nickel sized hail fell at Hunt Lake.

Along 430th Street in Holden Township, Section 23, a large commodity shed was destroyed after 5 support beams were ripped from the structure. One of the beams was thrown 75 feet and the roof of the structure fell onto a tractor. Doors on two free standing barns were also damaged. In addition, a very large Maple tree that was estimated to be over 100 years old was felled.

A newspaper published a picture of hail that fell in Kenyon that looked to be at least 1.25 inches in diameter.

About 3 miles south of Nerstrand, 210th St. E. was under water. Water was also flowing over secondary roads in Wheeling, Walcott, and Richland townships.

Penny sized hail fell at the intersection of County Road 2 and Interstate 35.

Up to 6 inches of rain fell in the North Fork Zumbro River watershed on the evening of the 7th and widespread flooding resulted. The Sheriff's department reported that flood waters from the North Fork Zumbro River forced the closure of Highway 58 just north of Zumbrota at Covered Bridge Park around 3 AM on the 8th. The highway remained closed for much of the day. Covered Bridge Park along the river sustained $20,000 damage to electrical equipment in the campground area, and a softball tournament had to be cancelled at the park after the flood damaged ball fields. The wastewater treatment plant in Wanamingo had to be evacuated shortly after midnight after the Zumbro River became higher than the water discharge level and began to flood back into the plant. A total of 4.48 inches of rain was recorded at the plant in 24 hours. Local officials had to sandbag low lying areas of town. In addition, the Shades of Sherwood campground, about 2 miles northeast of Wanamingo, was severely flooded when the North Fork Zumbro River and an unnamed tributary overflowed during the early morning hours. The campground sustained around $25,000 in damage. Approximately 30 camper trailers suffered heavy damage or were completely destroyed by flood waters. Total damage to personal property at the campground was estimated at more than $500,000. Various county roads near the river were impassible for much of the day, including County Road 1 about 4 miles west of Wanamingo between Highway 30 and Highway 60, Highway 57 just north of Wanamingo, and 420th Street about 5 miles northwest of Zumbrota. Several shoulders on roads passing the North Fork Zumbro River had to be repaired after being washed out. About 3 miles west of Cannon Falls, the Little Cannon River overflowed into a yard along Oxford Mill Road. In Kenyon, a country club golf course was flooded by the North Fork Zumbro River.

Dime to quarter sized hail fell near the intersection of County Road 44 and Highway 13.

The fire department reported a wind gust of 60 MPH.

Dime sized hail was reported at the intersection of Highway 78 and Highway 83.

Trees and branches were downed. A few business signs were damaged and a large piece of tin roofing material was thrown approximately 50 yards.

A building was damaged at a farm along Highway 212 in Garfield Township, Section 19.

A few trees were downed.

Pea to penny sized hail fell at the National Weather Service office on Lake Drive West.

A tree and several branches were downed onto roads and yards in town. The most concentrated area of damage was near 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, including a tree that fell on a vacant house. A construction site about 5 miles southwest of Madison suffered building damage. Grain bins were also damaged in the area.

Law enforcement officers reported downed trees.

A large tree was downed along Chestnut Street.

Large branches were downed by high winds that continued for at least 15 minutes.

A cattle shed lost most of its roof at a farm along Highway 12 about 1 mile west of the Highway 5 intersection in Shible Township, Section 15. A machine shed was nearly demolished nearby.

The roof of three sheds and a hog barn were blown off at a farm on the south side of Lake Oliver near 20th Street NW in Hegbert Township, Section 35. A two by four was blown into the side of a farmhouse and windows were broken by flying debris. Trees were also downed on the property.

A machine shed and bin collapsed onto a combine at a farm on Highway 20 in Fairfield Township, Section 33. The debris from the shed and bin were thrown several yards. A farmhouse suffered a broken window and a hole in the roof from flying debris. At the property next door a machine shed had the roof and a door ripped off. Evergreens at a church in Fairfield were downed.

Power lines were downed.

A downed tree was reported by law enforcement.

A tree was downed.

Law enforcement officers reported penny sized hail at the intersection of Highway 55 and County Road 19 in Medina.

A MNDOT road weather sensor recorded a wind gust of 64 MPH.

Law enforcement officials reported nickel sized hail at the intersection of Highway 29 and County Road 6.

Trees were downed.

Several trees were downed in Willmar, including one which fell onto a garage and damaged two cars on Ella Avenue NW. Trees were also downed onto power lines north of Kandiyohi around Diamond Lake, near Lake Florida, in the Raymond area, southwest of Willmar, and north of Prinsburg.

Penny sized hail fell for 5 minutes.

Dime sized hail dented cars.

Trees and power poles were downed.

A few trees were downed.

Nickel sized hail fell at the intersection of Highway 71 and County Road 10.

Trees were downed onto two mobile homes.

Trees and large branches were downed.

Numerous trees were downed.

Large branches and signs were downed.

Numerous trees were downed onto yards and roads. The most concentrated area of damage was in an east-west path between 12th North and Center streets. One large tree pulled up the sidewalk and a portion of the curb on South Minnesota Street.

Trees were downed near Lake Erie.

A pontoon boat was flipped and a dock was destroyed along the Lake Ripley shoreline.

Trees were downed near Round Lake.

A 10 inch diameter tree snapped off and blocked the intersection of County Road 7 and 225th St. A few small tree branches were downed in the city of Hutchinson.

Several large trees were downed. A few of the trees landed on a mobile home.

A trained spotter recorded a wind gust of 61 MPH. A 12 inch diameter tree was snapped in half. Another tree toppled onto a car near the Fifth Avenue bridge. The tree smashed the windshield and rear window and also dented the roof and hood.

Branches were downed.

Trees were uprooted and 4 homes and a deck were damaged along the east shore of Lake Stella along County Road 14. One man was trapped in a porch when a tree fell on it and had to break a window to escape. A boat lift and attached boat were blown over a dock and rolled a few feet along the Lake Stella shoreline. Six foot waves were reported on Lake Stella and water lapped up to County Road 14. In addition, power lines were downed over 650th Avenue near Casey Lake and along 670th Avenue near County Road 9.

Five power poles were snapped off, 13 light poles were downed, and a number of trees were uprooted in Nicollet. One large tree branch fell onto a car on Third Street. Tree and power line damage was also reported in Courtland and St. Peter. In Lafayette, 10 trees were damaged and 2x6 wooden bleachers at a ball field were snapped and pushed over on their sides. Seven miles east of Lafayette in New Sweden Township, a 25 foot diameter Ash tree was broken off at its base and thrown 150 feet. Several trees in a nearby grove were twisted and broken about 25 feet up in the canopy. In addition, a circa 1930s steel bin with a 1500 bushel capacity was twisted up and rolled at least 200 feet.

Trees and power lines were downed. A power line fell onto Highway 212 near Unit Avenue about 3 miles east of town. A tractor trailer hit the downed wire and pulled down a transmission pole.

The roof of a hoop barn was removed at a farm on 98th Street in Stockholm Township, Section 21. The tops of trees were also snapped.

Numerous trees were downed.

Trees were downed around town. A transformer blew off a pole and could not be found. A power line was downed into a ditch near the intersection of Jade Avenue and 220th Street about two miles north of town.

Dime sized hail fell on the west side of town.

A storage shed was demolished by a downed tree near the intersection of Highway 212 and Imperial Avenue in Glencoe Township, Section 28.

A pole barn and other large sheds were downed just south of Winsted along County Road 1. Numerous trees and a few power lines were downed onto homes, vehicles, and roads in Winsted. A wall was pushed in the downtown area.

Trees were downed across the city. The roof of a trailer home and an attached garage was ripped off and a picture window was blown out. A man in the trailer home was cut on the leg by flying glass from a shattered window and required 14 stitches. A camper in the back yard of the home was blown into Whitewater Creek along with roof and tree debris. Damage was reported to other houses in the vicinity, including one home that was impaled by a 2x4 that came from a damaged building across the street. A tree was downed onto a power truck on Highway 60.

Trees were downed onto power lines 4 miles north of Winsted.

The Sheriff's department reported numerous downed trees across the western portion of the county including the New Germany area. Trees and power lines were also downed in Hamburg, Waconia, Chanhassen, Victoria, Hollywood Township, and Chaska. One tree fell onto a car in Chanhassen. Two garage doors were blown off buildings owned by the town of Cologne. A home lost some siding and a garage collapsed in Cologne as well. In Carver, a tree was downed onto power lines. In Waconia several trees were downed, including one which blocked Sugarbush Lane. A downed tree poked a hole into a home at the corner of Sugarbush Lane and Barberry Circle. A power line was downed at the corner of First and Birch streets. In Benton Township a utility pole was tilted to a 45 degree angle by high winds.

Law enforcement officials reported that a semi tractor trailer was blown over on Highway 60 between Mankato and Lake Crystal.

A trained spotter downtown recorded a 62 MPH wind gust. A gust of 56 MPH was recorded at Watertown-Mayer High School just northwest of town. Large tree limbs were downed onto Westminster Avenue south of Madison Street. Another large limb was downed onto vehicles on Angel Avenue SW. The roof of a shed was blown off along Tacoma Avenue in Hollywood Township, three miles southwest of Watertown.

A large tree was downed over a road on the west side of Eagle Lake.

A trained spotter recorded a wind gust of 66 MPH. Numerous trees were downed.

A tree was downed onto a power line on Noble Boulevard.

Trees and power lines were damaged. A picnic table was thrown through a picture window.

At least 25 large trees were downed across Le Sueur. One tree fell onto a home at Nichols Court and caused considerable damage to the roof and an upstairs bedroom. Another tree blocked County Road 112.

A tree was downed onto power lines.

Several boats were capsized and docks were destroyed by waves created by high winds at a resort on Lake Washington. Trees were also downed in the vicinity. The framing of a new house under construction along the shore of the lake was smashed by a downed tree.

A tree was downed onto a car. A handful of other trees and power lines were downed across town.

Two large trees up to 1 meter in diameter were broken about ½ mile west of the intersection of 90th and France Ave.

Several trees were downed.

Two trees up to 10 inches in diameter were downed near the intersection of Douglas Drive and Rockford Road. One tree fell onto a car.

Two trees up to 10 inches in diameter were downed. A power line was downed onto Elm Avenue.

Two cabins at a resort between East Jefferson Lake and German Lake, Section 5 in Elysian Township, were destroyed when trees fell on them. One cabin was unoccupied. Two people in the second cabin sustained bumps and bruises when a large tree fell on top of the bedroom they were staying in. The tree fell right on top of the bed where they were sleeping moments before. They were standing nearby when the tree "split the ceiling open" above them. A nearby trailer home was also damaged by the tree that fell onto the unoccupied cabin. One witness said that wind was blowing so hard that water was "flying off the lake." Power crews had to replace several electricity poles between East Jefferson Lake and German Lake that were damaged by downed trees.

Large trees up to 10 inches in diameter were downed. Minor damage was reported to fences and facades. The damage was most significant in the Bellgrove neighborhood.

Eighteen trees and a handful of power lines were downed. One tree fell onto a construction site in the 2900 block of Sumter, causing minor damage.

Eight trees up to 12 inches in diameter and numerous branches were downed.

A tree was downed onto a house in north Minneapolis.

Dime sized hail was reported at Big Lake. The time was estimated.

Numerous trees were downed onto homes, streets, and yards. Several homes sustained significant roof damage and broken windows. A fallen tree punched a hole in the roof and a branch stuck through into an upstairs bedroom at a home on Division Street South. A person sleeping in a bed below the hole was awakened when insulation fell on them but was otherwise unharmed. A trampoline in the yard was thrown with such force that it bent a fence. A town resident said the high winds lasted for nearly 15 minutes.

A 121-year-old barn was blown down along Highway 72 in Morristown Township, Section 14.

Dime to nickel sized hail fell.

A tree was downed in the Woodhill subdivision.

A few trees and many branches were downed.

Trees and power lines were downed in Columbia Heights. Power outages were reported in Coon Rapids and Fridley.

Trees and power lines were downed in Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, St. Paul Park, Afton, Lakeland, and Marine on the St. Croix, and Stillwater. In Cottage Grove, one tree was blown down onto a house, and lightning started a shed fire. In Stillwater a garage and pickup truck were damaged by a downed tree. A tree house was also damaged when the large branch it was supported by was ripped from the tree.

Branches up to 5 inches in diameter were downed on Grand Avenue near the intersection of Snelling Avenue and along Snelling Avenue near the intersection of Summit Avenue.

Trees were downed onto yards in addition to a car on Nevada Avenue and a van on 18th Avenue.

Large branches and 10 trees were downed.

A wind gust of 59 MPH was recorded at Holman Field.

A wind gust of 66 MPH was recorded at the Owatonna Airport. A wind gust of 61 MPH was reported in town by emergency management. Trees and limbs were downed onto homes and vehicles across town. Five trees were downed and garbage cans and portable toilets were blown over in city parks. A large industrial sized garbage container was blown into the street behind the Fire Department.

A few trees were downed across the intersection of County Road 47 and 260th Street.

A townhouse was burned down by a fire triggered by lightning. Three nearby townhouse units were damaged.