Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, June 17, 2010

Two separate storms produced up to tennis ball size hail around Brandon, Minnesota.

Several spotters reported up to softball size hail around Millerville, Minnesota.

Numerous trees were broken or snapped, producing EF-1 damage in Douglas County, then the tornado continued into Otter Tail County, where it intensified to EF-4.

Several reports of quarter size hail occurred around the St. James, Minnesota area.

Several reports of golfball and tennis ball size hail occurred east of Fairfax, to Gibbon, Minnesota.

Several funnel clouds were reported near Kingston, Minnesota.

A metal shed building was blown in, with debris from the building up to a quarter mile away. Multiple trees were uprooted. The tornado was recorded on video by storm chasers.

Several reports of hail up to ping pong size, occurred from Silver Lake, northeast to Winsted, Minnesota.

Several funnel clouds were reported around Cokato, Minnesota.

The tornado touched down in a rural area. Some trees were broken, a gravity box was tipped over, and minor crop damage occurred.

About two dozen trees were broken, windows were blown out at one house, a flag pole was bent, and minor damage to some sheds was noted.

The tornado broke several dozen trees. It was recorded on video by storm chasers.

A storm spotter measured a 53 knot wind gust.

Brief touchdown in field. Storm chaser recorded video of this tornado.

A few dozen trees were broken or snapped. Storm chaser recorded video of this tornado.

Isolated tree damage was noted near the initial touchdown location, but the damage became more concentrated and more intense as the storm approached Constance Lake. Low end EF-1 tornado damage was noted, as the trunks of several trees were snapped at locations on both sides of the lake. An intermittent damage path continued further north, with damage to trees and a small lean-to shelter. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of 85th St NE and Cahill Ave.

Tornado moved across open fields. Recorded on video and photo by multiple chasers.

Tornado moved across open fields. Recorded on video by chasers.

A damage survey, plus photo and video evidence from storm chasers, showed that this tornado formed south-southwest of Kiester, near the intersection of 20th Street and 570th Avenue, then wrapped around another tornado (which developed about one mile west of Kiester) and dissipated. While southwest of Kiester, it did EF-2 damage to a couple farmsteads, including tree damage and destruction of several grain bins.

A damage survey, plus photo and video evidence from chasers, showed this tornado developed just west of Kiester, moved north and struck the northwestern edge of Kiester, producing widespread tree damage and rated EF-1 at this point. It continued north as a multiple vortex tornado, doing EF-2 damage to a grove of trees. Farther north, several trees and grave stones were knocked over in a cemetery. It then turned and moved north-northeast before dissipating to the northeast of Kiester.

It should be noted that another tornado which developed south-southwest of Kiester (see entry for 1710 to 1716 CST) wrapped around this tornado and dissipated west of Kiester.

A brief tornado moved across open fields. Tornado was recorded on video.

A brief tornado moved across open fields and into Freeborn County. Tornado was recorded on video.

A brief tornado moved across open fields and groves of trees after developing in Faribault County. It snapped numerous power poles approximately five feet off the ground along County Road 11. Several dozen trees also had large branches snapped off. Tornado was photographed and recorded on video by chasers.

The tornado initially moved northeast to approximately 3.5 miles west of Conger, where at about (43.6156, -93.6015), it began to move more to the east-northeast. West of Armstrong, at about (43.6597, -93.4938), it began tracking nearly due north to just west of Manchester, where at about (43.7357, -93.4801), it began to move to the north-northwest, before dissipating 1.5 miles west of Hartland. Accounting for the changes in direction of this track, the actual path length covered by the tornado was 19.95 miles.

Near 180th Street and County Road 2, a home was likely in the outer circulation of the tornado, as it sustained some roof and siding damage. A barn was also destroyed to its brick foundation and a car was also flipped over lengthwise. Some evidence of tree debarking was noted. The tornado continued to the northeast and caused extensive crop damage approximately 500 yards in width. Near County Roads 17 and 63, the tornado intensified to produce EF-3 damage, impacting a farmstead and causing the complete destruction of three swine barns and the loss of 12 head of swine. Two empty grain bins were completely blown away at this location. The house at this location had some roof damage but appeared to be northwest of the main tornado path. Approximately 100 feet northeast of the house, a 150 foot tripod style wind turbine tower was twisted and toppled. This location also marked the beginning of crops being completely raked, with only stalks of corn left, and soybean fields being almost unrecognizable.

After passing through this farmstead the tornado took a more easterly path across County Road 63, and maintained EF-3 strength. After passing County Road 63, another farmstead was hit, and two empty harvester silos were toppled. The tornado continued to the northeast across County Road 4, where continued raking of the fields was noted with significant deposition of debris along the tornado path. Numerous trees were toppled at County Road 89 where it turns to the north. The tornado continued to the north-northeast, grew to 1000 yards, and around 1750 LST impacted a farmstead along County Road 12 two miles north of Conger, where EF-4 damage was observed. The house at this location was completely destroyed, as was the barn and several other buildings. Extensive tree damage was noted with nearly all branches being removed from the trunks. Debarking of trees was widespread at this location. A car was also tumbled a distance of 3200 feet, coming to rest in a field east of County Road 12.

The tornado continued to the northeast across County Road 69 and County Road 46, where it weakened slightly to EF-3 intensity. As it crossed County Road 46, a house was rotated off the foundation. The tornado was approximately 700 yards wide at this point. To the north-northeast, a swine barn was destroyed with sheet metal being carried off to Interstate 90. At this same time, a satellite tornado developed and caused damage in the town of Armstrong (see separate entry).

The main tornado continued to the north-northeast and was 500 yards in width. The tornado crossed County Road 74 and caused EF-2 damage to three farmsteads. One farmstead with a manufactured home was hit, resulting in one fatality and one severe injury. The tornado crossed Interstate 90 just west of County Road 14 as it grew to one third of a mile in width and re-strengthened to EF-3 intensity. Several farmsteads saw significant damage between Sugar Lake and County Road 14, with a house and two barns completely destroyed. From this point the tornado continued to the north, growing to one mile in width. Around 1800 LST, a house and barn were destroyed approximately one mile west of Manchester on County Road 25, where extensive tree and structural damage was also noted at several properties in the area. Additionally, west of this tornadic damage, a separate area of tree and structural damage was caused by strong thunderstorm winds associated with a rear flank downdraft (see separate entry).

About one mile north, the tornado weakened slightly to EF-2 Intensity, where it damaged three full grain bins near County Road 29. The tornado was approximately 1300 yards at this point. Further north, at County Road 95, the tornado continued to weaken, although a farmstead still received EF-1 damage to trees and structures. Finally, the tornado continued north and began to narrow and weaken. It dissipated west of Hartland. One person was killed and 14 injured from this tornado.

A large tree fell on a car.

Several large branches were blown down near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

Several reports of hail up to the size of half dollars, occurred around Elk River, Minnesota.

Several power lines were blown down northeast of Lester Prairie, Minnesota.

This was a satellite tornado to the Conger EF-4. It damaged trees, several grain bins and structures.

Several large trees were blown down, plus a garage door was damaged. This damage was associated with the rear flank downdraft associated with the EF-4 tornado that began near Mansfield.

Touchdown was near the intersection of Freeborn County Roads 14 and 20. Multiple farmsteads experienced significant structural and tree damage, including one house completely destroyed and several others heavily damaged. Many outbuildings were destroyed, hundreds of trees uprooted and snapped, with some partially debarked. It then moved into Steele County, southwest of Ellendale, where it began moving to the north-northwest.

This tornado touched down near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Freeborn County Road 31. Multiple outbuildings were destroyed and numerous large trees were broken or toppled. It exited Freeborn County just north of Geneva, where it continued into Steele County.

A power pole was blown down near the Junction of County Road 61, and Stoughton Avenue in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

This tornado moved from Freeborn County and into Steele County and began moving to the north-northwest, thereby missing the city of Ellendale. At about (43.9255, -93.3453), it began moving toward the northwest, and at about (43.9407, -93.3627), it actually turned some more and moved toward the west-northwest until it finally dissipated. Accounting for the change in direction, the tornado had an actual path length of 7.7 miles in Steele County. Along the way, several homes experienced significant structural damage, with one house completely destroyed and the roof removed from two others. Many outbuildings were destroyed, and hundreds of trees were uprooted and snapped.

This tornado originated in Freeborn County, near Clark's Grove and producing minor damage in Geneva. It entered Steele County near County Road 45 and 168th Street SW and moved north-northeast for most of the time it existed, but at about (43.9154, -93.2159), it turned and began moving to the north-northwest, and dissipated while on its north-northwest track. Thus, the overall path length was 12.93 miles when accounting for the change in direction. In Steele County, several outbuildings were destroyed, the roof was taken off a barn, and numerous large trees were downed.

Numerous trees were knocked down associated with the rear flank downdraft that accompanied the tornado that originated just east of Clark's Grove at 1815 LST.

Numerous trees were knocked down associated with the rear flank downdraft that accompanied the tornado that entered Steele County at 1833 LST.

This tornado destroyed a barn, broke dozens of trees, and damaged a few sheds. As it began to dissipate, it became very narrow and then rotated halfway around a new tornado west of Hollandale. Video filmed by storm chaser.

As the Lerdal tornado began to dissipate, it rotated around this new one west of Hollandale. This new EF-3 tornado went on to obliterate a farmstead, with virtually every outbuilding destroyed, and the farm house leveled. It continued northeast and took the roof off a house and destroyed a greenhouse. Just before dissipating, it hit one more farmstead near County Roads 30 and 35, causing damage to outbuildings, minor damage to the house, and uprooting and breaking a couple dozen trees. Video filmed by storm chaser.

Dozens of trees were broken or uprooted and several sheds were destroyed due to rear flank downdraft winds that accompanied the Hollandale EF-3 tornado.

Several large trees were blown down near New Richland, Minnesota.

Several inches of rainfall occurred around the area and produced significant flooding in fields, and local roadways. Some of the water was two to three feet high and flowing over sidewalks in Waseca, Minnesota.

A tornado developed just to the southeast of the intersection of County Roads 30 and 35, or about 1/4 mile southeast of where the Hollandale EF-3 had dissipated. This new tornado tracked northeast, hitting three farmsteads just east of the intersection of county roads 30 and 35. Numerous trees were snapped and a shed and other outbuildings were destroyed. For the latter portion of its track, the tornado moved through fields and groves, with more crop damage and broken trees. Photos and video recorded by storm chaser.

This tornado developed just north of the Steele/Freeborn County line, shortly after the dissipation in Freeborn County of the Newry tornado. This new tornado moved northeast, and initially, occasional trees were broken. Damage intensified somewhat when it hit a farm on State Highway 30 just west of Blooming Prairie. The tornado continued moving northeast, decimating crops. Some bean fields were scoured in spots. It intensified significantly to EF-3 2.5 miles northwest of Blooming Prairie, where a house was leveled, trees were snapped, and large portions of bark were removed. A pickup truck was lofted about 50 feet into the basement of the house. Several other houses sustained minor damage. The tornado dissipated just west of Highway 218 and 123rd Street. Video recorded by law enforcement and chasers.

This EF-2 tornado touched down and tracked east-northeast, and soon crossed the path of the Blooming Prairie EF-3 that had moved north-northeast about 10 minutes earlier. A manufactured home was obliterated by the EF-2. A woman inside the home was blown about 20 feet, but was found under debris, rescued by law enforcement, and survived. The tornado continued moving east-northeast, and several outbuildings were destroyed, along with many broken trees. The tornado continued into Dodge County.

This tornado moved north-northeast and caused minor damage to outbuildings and broke several dozen trees. It exited Steele County about 3/4 mile south of Steele County Road 26 and continued into Dodge County.

A tornado touched down in extreme northern Chisago County, uprooting trees and breaking large branches. It then moved into Pine County, where it intensified and produced EF-2 damage, and eventually tracked into Burnett County, Wisconsin.

Multiple areas of flooding occurred across Steele County, especially local streets in the town of Owatonna, Minnesota.

Excessive rainfall led to the closure of several roads in Albert Lea.