Flash Flood and Flood in North Dakota, July 2 to 5, 2005

Name: Flash Flood and Flood in North Dakota, July 2 to 5, 2005
Start: 2005-07-02T05:00
End: 2005-07-05T12:00
Location: North Dakota

July 2 to 5, 2005 · NWS FGF · 22 events in 10 counties and zones

12 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 1 flood, 1 flash flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 22

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 Jul 2, 2:20 AM CST, 2 hours 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 2:20 AM CST, 2 hours 40 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
320 AM CDT SAT JUL 2 2005

.DISCUSSION...
BROKEN LINE OF CONVECTION CONTINUES TO PUSH INTO EASTERN ND EARLY
THIS AM. LIGHTNING STRIKES HAVE DECREASED OVER THE LAST HOUR...AS
STORMS ENTER MORE STABLE AIR TO THE EAST. STORMS SHOULD CONTINUE TO
MOVE EAST AS LOW LEVEL JET INCREASES TO AROUND 35KT AFTER 09Z...SO
EXPECT STORMS TO PUSH EAST OF THE RED RIVER AROUND OR SHORTLY AFTER
12Z. MODELS ARE IN PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT WITH OVERALL PARAMETERS FOR
UPCOMING EVENT...WITH GFS VERY CONSISTENT FROM RUN TO RUN. PREFER
MORE AGRESSIVE GFS ONCE AGAIN AND WILL FOLLOW FOR THIS PACKAGE.

FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT...SFC BOUNDARY MOVES INTO CENTRAL ND BY LATE
AFTERNOON. EXPECT CONVECTION TO DEVELOP AROUND OR SHORTLY AFTER 20Z
IN CENTRAL ND...THEN MOVE/DEVELOP INTO EASTERN ND AND MN THIS
EVENING. ML CAPES APPROACH 3500-4000J/KG ALONG WITH AMPLE DEEP LAYERED
SHEAR SHOULD MEAN THREAT FOR SUPERCELLS. MORNING CONVECTION SHOULD
ALSO PROVIDE OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES FOR CONVECTION...AND CAN/T RULE OUT
TORNADOES WITH STRENGTH OF INSTABILITY AND DEEP LAYERED SHEAR.
BOUNDARY LAYER MOISTURE FROM EVAPOTRANSPIRATION SHOULD BOOST
DEWPOINTS INTO THE MID AND POSSIBLY UPPER 60S...ALTHOUGH 70 MAY BE A
BIT TOO HIGH. IF ENOUGH MOISTURE CAN POOL THIS AFTERNOON ALONG SFC
BOUNDARY...POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR EXPLOSIVE CONVECTION IF AREA CAN
HEAT OUT. LOW LEVEL JET INCREASES TONIGHT IN RESPONSE TO STRONG
SHORTWAVE MOVING INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CURRENTLY. EXPECT A
SEVERE MCS TO DEVELOP THIS EVENING OVER WESTERN/CENTRAL DAKOTAS AND
TRACK EAST ACROSS REST OF AREA BY SUNDAY MORNING. MAIN THREAT WITH
THIS CONVECTION SHOULD BE HIGH WIND AND SOME HAIL...ALONG WITH HEAVY
RAIN. WITH POTENTIAL FOR SEVERAL BOUTS OF THUNDERSTORMS BOTH LATE
THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...AND PRECIPITABLE WATERS INCREASING OVER
1.50 INCHES...WILL ISSUE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH TONIGHT FOR ENTIRE
FORECAST AREA. FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE IS LOW IN MOST AREAS...WITH
SATURATED GROUND AS WELL.

FOR SUNDAY...CONVECTION SHOULD MOVE EAST OF AREA BY LATE AFTERNOON.
COULD BE SOME LINGERING SEVERE WEATHER IN EASTERN AREAS DURING THE
MORNING INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON.

ON INDEPENDENCE DAY...CYCLONIC FLOW WILL LINGER AND WILL NEED TO
INSERT SHOWER MENTION IN NORTHEAST AREAS. GFS IS MORE BULLISH ON
SECONDARY SHORTWAVE...AND IF IT VERIFIES SHOWERS WILL NEED TO BE
EXPANDED FURTHER WEST. FOR NOW THOUGH WILL JUST MENTION SHOWER
CHANCES IN EASTERN AREAS ON THE FOURTH.

NO CHANGES PLANNED AFTER MONDAY.

&&
.AVIATION...
MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED TODAY...EXCEPT MVFR NEAR BROKEN
CONVECTION THIS MORNING. MORE WIDESPREAD CONVECTION LATE THIS
AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT SHOULD DROP CONDITIONS INTO THE MVFR AND
OCCASIONALLY IFR RANGE NEAR STRONGER STORMS.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...AREAL FLOOD WARNING FOR SARGENT COUNTY UNTIL 19Z SATURDAY.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH ALL COUNTIES TONIGHT.
MN...FLASH FLOOD WATCH ALL COUNTIES TONIGHT.

&&

KELLENBENZ

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:00 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 1 flood, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cass

When: July 2, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Cass County, 2 mi NE of Wild Rice
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 46.767, -96.767

Flood, Pembina

When: July 2, 11:39 AM CST to July 5, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Pembina forecast zone
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 48.768, -97.552 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water backed up over highway 55 southwest of Neche, due to a logjam against a bridge.

Hail, Pembina

When: July 2, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, 3 mi SW of Joliette
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.783, -97.267

Hail, Cavalier

When: July 2, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 2 mi W of Wales
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.900, -98.633

Hail, Pembina

When: July 2, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, 4 mi WNW of Pembina
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.983, -97.333

Hail, Towner

When: July 2, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Towner County, 5 mi NW of Bisbee
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 48.667, -99.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When: July 2, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 10 mi N of Calvin
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 49.000, -98.917

Cottonwood trees were uprooted at a farmstead.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When: July 2, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, Neche
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 48.983, -97.533

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When: July 2, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, Walhalla
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 48.917, -97.900

A dealership sign was blown down and a pole barn sustained roof and door damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Griggs

When: July 3, 12:47 AM CST
Where: Griggs County, Hannaford
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 47.317, -98.183

Hail, Griggs

When: July 3, 12:47 AM CST
Where: Griggs County, Hannaford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 47.317, -98.183

Thunderstorm Wind, Barnes

When: July 3, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Barnes County, Eckelson
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.933, -98.333

2-foot diameter cottonwood trees were uprooted and the tops of several other trees were sheared off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When: July 3, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Steele County, Hope
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.317, -97.733

Dozens of huge trees were blown down. Several homes were damaged by falling trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When: July 3, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Steele County, Finley
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 47.517, -97.850

Trees and signs were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When: July 3, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Steele County, 8 mi NE of Finley
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 47.600, -97.733

Wind damage occurred at Golden Lake in northeast Steele county. Many people were at the lake for the holiday weekend. One tree fell on a parked vehicle. The wind flipped a boat and a pontoon from their trailers.

Hail, Walsh

When: July 3, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Walsh County, 4 mi WNW of Fordville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.233, -97.867

Thunderstorm Wind, Traill

When: July 3, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Traill County, Mayville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 47.500, -97.317

Tree tops were snapped off 20 feet above ground level.

Thunderstorm Wind, Traill

When: July 3, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Traill County, Reynolds
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 47.683, -97.100

18-inch diameter tree trunks were snapped off by the strong wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 3, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 1 mi E of Thompson
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 47.783, -97.083

Trees were blown down near the Thompson exit on Interstate 29.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 3, 2:17 AM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 3 mi S of Grand Forks
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.867, -97.050

A billboard mounted on four large poles was snapped off at ground level.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 3, 2:19 AM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.050

Flash Flood, Grand Forks

When: July 3, 2:45 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 47.917, -97.050

Extensive street flooding occurred along Demers avenue near the overpass downtown.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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 2005 Every state in 2005 This day in weather history Warnings in North Dakota, July 2005

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: 5468236, 5468352, 5468237, 5468238, 5468239, 5468241, 5468240, 5468242, 5468254, 5468243, 5468244, 5468245, 5468255, 5468246, 5468256, 5468247, 5468248, 5468249, 5468250, 5468251, 5468252, 5468253.