Grandstand Damage at the Brainerd International Raceway
Courtesy: Chris Wilkoske
Courtesy: Chris Wilkoske
After the muggiest day of the summer so far in Minnesota, severe thunderstorms developed during the evening of July 12th. Dew point temperatures in the mid 70's were common with the Twin Cities seeing a dew point temperature of 76 degrees for six hours on the 12th. The highest heat index in the Twin Cities was 100 at 5 and 6 pm with an air temperature of 89 degrees and a dew point temperature of 76. One of the highest heat index readings found was 111 at St. James with an air temperature of 91 and a dew point temperature of 81.
The severe thunderstorms first formed in a cluster in Todd and Douglas Counties and then spread to the east and southeast. A barn was one of the first victims south of Aldrich in Todd County. Next there were reports of trees down in Douglas County. There was also tree damage in Pope and Stearns County. Some of the most extensive damage occurred in the Brainerd and Baxter area of Crow Wing County. Many trees and power lines were down the Baxter area, blocking roads including Highway 371. Two camper trailers were flipped and the Brainerd International Raceway grandstand was damaged. The Gull Lake Dam Campsite was evacuated of campers and then closed with hundreds of trees down in and around the campground. There was also extensive damage on Pelican Lake in Crow Wing County with many trees down and structural damage to resorts and cabins.
As the storms sagged south into the Twin Cities Metro Area, heavy rain and lightning were the biggest impacts with one to two inches of rain common. 1.7 inches of rain fell in an hour at the U of M St. Paul Campus Climate Observatory. A location near Woodbury in Washington County saw 2.41 inches of rain. The highest 24 rainfall total found so far was 3.25 inches near Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County. Lighting sparked house fires in several locations around the Twin Cities. The storms re-intensified as they moved into Wisconsin and continued to move southeast. By late afternoon on the 13th the line of storms were progressing through eastern Kentucky.
The Duluth National Weather Service posted a story on the event.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
829 AM CDT MON JUL 13 2015
...HIGHEST HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM THE PAST 24 HOURS...
LOCATION TEMP TIME/DATE LAT/LON
ST JAMES AP 111 F 0515 PM 07/12 43.99N/94.56W
SEARLES 5 SE 110 F 0559 PM 07/12 44.17N/94.38W
EASTON 3 SSE 107 F 0643 PM 07/12 43.72N/93.89W
ALBERT LEA AP 103 F 0711 PM 07/12 43.68N/93.37W
MANKATO AP 103 F 0735 PM 07/12 44.22N/93.92W
LAKE CRYSTAL, 2 NE 101 F 0755 PM 07/12 44.12N/94.19W
CARVER 2 ENE 101 F 0550 PM 07/12 44.77N/93.59W
VICTORIA 1 WSW 100 F 0319 PM 07/12 44.86N/93.69W
MEDFORD 97 F 0450 PM 07/12 44.17N/93.24W
FAIRMONT AP 96 F 0255 PM 07/12 43.64N/94.42W
HENDERSON, 3 NNE 92 F 0515 PM 07/12 44.58N/93.89W
APPLETON 91 F 0715 PM 07/12 45.20N/96.02W
ROSEMOUNT 1 NNE 91 F 0605 PM 07/12 44.77N/93.06W
OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING
EQUIPMENT AND EXPOSURE. NOT ALL DATA LISTED ARE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
1029 AM CDT MON JUL 13 2015
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 PM HAIL 5 W AITKIN 46.53N 93.82W
07/12/2015 E0.50 INCH CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0649 PM HAIL AITKIN 46.53N 93.71W
07/12/2015 M0.75 INCH AITKIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
PEAS TO DIME SIZED HAIL.
0705 PM HAIL AITKIN 46.53N 93.71W
07/12/2015 M0.88 INCH AITKIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0715 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NW MOTLEY 46.37N 94.69W
07/12/2015 CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
LOST PART OF GARAGE ROOF.
0717 PM TSTM WND DMG BAXTER 46.34N 94.28W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
TWO TO THREE EIGHT TO TWELVE INCH DIAMETER LIVE PINE
TREES TOPPED.
0718 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 N PILLAGER 46.35N 94.47W
07/12/2015 CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
3-4 INCH DIAMETER TREE BRANCHES DOWN ON A LIVE OAK TREE.
0720 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 N PILLAGER 46.34N 94.48W
07/12/2015 CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES BLOWN DOWN...ONE BIG OAK AND OTHERS...TV ANTENNA
AND TOWER BLOWN DOWN.
0724 PM TSTM WND DMG 7 NW BRAINERD 46.43N 94.30W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN CO-OP OBSERVER
REPORT OF LOTS OF LIVE TREES DOWN. 12 TO 24 INCH IN
DIAMETER. TREE FELL DOWN ON HOUSE AND CAUSED ROOF DAMAGE.
0724 PM HAIL 4 NNE GLORY 46.47N 93.57W
07/12/2015 E0.88 INCH AITKIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0725 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 E MOTLEY 46.34N 94.58W
07/12/2015 CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE TREES FELL HITTING POWERLINES. ESTIMATED 18 INCH
DIAMETER TREES.
0727 PM TSTM WND DMG BAXTER 46.34N 94.28W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
CART CORRALS UPENDED AT WALMART
0730 PM TSTM WND DMG BREEZY POINT 46.60N 94.22W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES DOWN
0738 PM HAIL 11 SW MCGREGOR 46.50N 93.47W
07/12/2015 M1.00 INCH AITKIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0740 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 N BRAINERD 46.40N 94.19W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
6 LARGE HEALTHY OAK TREES DOWN IN YARD. MANY OTHER TREES
DOWN ACROSS NEIGHBOORHOOD. POWER WAS OUT UNTIL 230 AM.
ESTIMATED 2 INCHES OF RAIN - GAGE WAS TAKEN OUT BY
FALLING TREE.
0740 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NW BRAINERD 46.39N 94.24W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES DOWN
0745 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 N MOTLEY 46.38N 94.64W
07/12/2015 CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
31...32 AND 40 INCH DIAMETER TREES DOWN. DELAYED REPORT.
0745 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NNW BRAINERD 46.40N 94.22W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
5 HEALTHY OAK TREES DOWN...LARGEST ABOUT 12 INCHES IN
DIAMETER.
0750 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG BRAINERD 46.35N 94.19W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN NEWSPAPER
BRAINERD PUBLIC UTILITIES ESTIMATES 75 TO 80 POWER LINES
DOWN THROUGHOUT CROW WING COUNTY. BLOCKED ROADWAYS DUE TO
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN.
0750 PM NON-TSTM WND GST BRAINERD 46.35N 94.19W
07/12/2015 E70.00 MPH CROW WING MN PUBLIC
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE BLEACHERS AT BRAINERD
INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. TIME ESTIMATED.
0750 PM TSTM WND DMG BRAINERD 46.35N 94.19W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE TREE DOWN ON HOUSE. ALSO HAIL BETWEEN QUARTER AND
HALF DOLLAR SIZE
0750 PM TSTM WND DMG BAXTER 46.34N 94.28W
07/12/2015 CROW WING MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
COUNTLESS TREES DOWN WITH MANY BLOCKING ROADWAYS AS WELL
AS POWER LINES DOWN. STATE HIGHWAY371 NORTH OF BAXTER IS
BLOCKED AND REDUCED. TIME ESTIMATED.
0806 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 W WOODROW 46.39N 94.14W
07/12/2015 M65.00 MPH CROW WING MN MESONET
WAKE LOW WINDS MEASURED FROM BIRM5.
1006 PM TSTM WND GST 4 NE RANDALL 45.74N 92.78W
07/12/2015 M53.00 MPH BURNETT WI MESONET
WIND GUST MEASURED FROM RAWS SITE LNDW3.
1012 PM HAIL 3 NNW DULUTH 46.82N 92.13W
07/12/2015 M0.25 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
1025 PM TSTM WND DMG MINONG 46.10N 91.82W
07/12/2015 WASHBURN WI TRAINED SPOTTER
DELAYED REPORT OF A POWER LINE DOWN. TIME RADAR
ESTIMATED.
1045 PM TSTM WND DMG MINONG 46.10N 91.82W
07/12/2015 WASHBURN WI PUBLIC
DELAYED REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OF A LIVE 7 FOOT PINE
TREE DOWN. TIME RADAR ESTIMATED.
1045 PM HAIL MINONG 46.10N 91.82W
07/12/2015 E0.88 INCH WASHBURN WI PUBLIC
DELAYED REPORT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME RADAR ESTIMATED.
1133 PM TSTM WND GST SILVER BAY 47.29N 91.28W
07/12/2015 M41.00 MPH LAKE MN AWOS
WIND GUST MEASURED FROM AWOS SITE KBFW.
1212 AM MARINE TSTM WIND 2 SE BAYFIELD 46.79N 90.79W
07/13/2015 M38.00 MPH ASHLAND WI MESONET
MARINE WIND GUST MEASURED FROM CWOP SITE D6222.
1245 AM TSTM WND GST 2 E BUTTERNUT 46.01N 90.46W
07/13/2015 E50.00 MPH ASHLAND WI TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS OF 40-50 MPH.
0100 AM HAIL 2 E BUTTERNUT 46.01N 90.46W
07/13/2015 M0.25 INCH ASHLAND WI TRAINED SPOTTER
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
204 PM CDT MON JUL 13 2015
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM HAIL 5 SW EVANSVILLE 45.96N 95.75W
07/12/2015 M0.75 INCH DOUGLAS MN MESONET
NSSL SHAVE
0623 PM TSTM WND DMG HEWITT 46.32N 95.09W
07/12/2015 TODD MN EMERGENCY MNGR
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
0623 PM TSTM WND DMG BERTHA 46.27N 95.06W
07/12/2015 TODD MN EMERGENCY MNGR
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
0645 PM TSTM WND DMG 8 E HEWITT 46.32N 94.92W
07/12/2015 TODD MN EMERGENCY MNGR
BARN DESTROYED SOUTH OF ALDRICH MN
0648 PM TSTM WND DMG CLARISSA 46.13N 94.95W
07/12/2015 TODD MN EMERGENCY MNGR
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
0654 PM TSTM WND DMG BROWERVILLE 46.09N 94.87W
07/12/2015 TODD MN EMERGENCY MNGR
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
0709 PM TSTM WND DMG 6 W ALEXANDRIA 45.88N 95.49W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN PUBLIC
PINE TREES UP ROOTED
0709 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SSW BRANDON 45.95N 95.60W
07/12/2015 E80.00 MPH DOUGLAS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ESTIMATED
0710 PM TSTM WND DMG BRANDON 45.97N 95.60W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE TREES SPLIT OPEN ON NORTH SIDE OF TOWN. TIME
ESTIMATED.
0710 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SE BRANDON 45.93N 95.55W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE TREES SPLIT OPEN. OCCURRED SPORADICALLY FROM 3 TO 4
MILES SE OF TOWN ALONG COUNTY ROAD 82. TIME OF EVENT
ESTIMATED.
0714 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 WNW GARFIELD 45.96N 95.55W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN PUBLIC
LARGE SHED UNDER CONTRUCTION PARTIALLY DESTROYED. DAMAGE
OCCURRED ON HALVERSON ROAD A FEW BLOCKS SOUTH OF COUNTY
ROAD 82. TIME ESTIMATED.
0715 PM TSTM WND DMG WNW BRANDON 45.97N 95.60W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
2 FOOT DIAMETER TREE DOWN EVENT TIME 1900-1930 CDT
0715 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 S FORADA 45.78N 95.36W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN PUBLIC
PONTOON BOAT THROWN INTO MAPLE LAKE AND FLIPPED OVER.
TIME ESTIMATED.
0723 PM TSTM WND DMG STAPLES 46.36N 94.80W
07/12/2015 TODD MN STORM CHASER
TWO 6 INCH TREES UPROOTED
0724 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NE GARFIELD 45.96N 95.46W
07/12/2015 DOUGLAS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN
0806 PM HAIL 5 SSW EVANSVILLE 45.94N 95.74W
07/12/2015 M0.88 INCH DOUGLAS MN MESONET
NSSL SHAVE
0820 PM TSTM WND GST BOWLUS 45.82N 94.41W
07/12/2015 M81.00 MPH MORRISON MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0828 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 S VILLARD 45.68N 95.27W
07/12/2015 POPE MN PUBLIC
SEVEN TREES FELLED, SOME 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
0830 PM TSTM WND DMG VILLARD 45.71N 95.27W
07/12/2015 POPE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
5 TO 6 UPROOTED TREES AND POWER OUTAGES
0833 PM HAIL 2 S VILLARD 45.68N 95.27W
07/12/2015 M0.50 INCH POPE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0845 PM TSTM WND GST 3 NNW ST CLOUD 45.59N 94.20W
07/12/2015 E58.00 MPH STEARNS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
WINDS ESTIMATED 55 TO 60 MPH.
0853 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SSE SAUK CENTRE 45.71N 94.93W
07/12/2015 M69.00 MPH STEARNS MN MESONET
AWOS METAR KD39
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG ST JOSEPH 45.57N 94.32W
07/12/2015 STEARNS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SEMAPHORE TRAFIC SIGNAL DOWN
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG SAUK CENTRE 45.74N 94.96W
07/12/2015 STEARNS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG ALBANY 45.63N 94.57W
07/12/2015 STEARNS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG WSW KIMBALL 45.31N 94.30W
07/12/2015 STEARNS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
5 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS DOWN
0910 PM TSTM WND GST 3 N MILACA 45.80N 93.65W
07/12/2015 M55.00 MPH MILLE LACS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0910 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 S BRAHAM 45.71N 93.17W
07/12/2015 ISANTI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0916 PM TSTM WND GST MORA 45.88N 93.29W
07/12/2015 M58.00 MPH KANABEC MN MESONET
AWOS METAR KJMR
0920 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W CAMBRIDGE 45.56N 93.25W
07/12/2015 ISANTI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0930 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 SW LITTLE FALLS 45.97N 94.38W
07/12/2015 M1.69 INCH MORRISON MN COCORAHS
90 MINUTES. PEAK WIND GUST MEASURED 41 MPH.
0945 PM TSTM WND GST HASTY 45.37N 93.97W
07/12/2015 E58.00 MPH WRIGHT MN MESONET
RWIS ROAD SENSOR
0945 PM TSTM WND GST MONTICELLO 45.30N 93.80W
07/12/2015 M50.00 MPH WRIGHT MN AMATEUR RADIO
0955 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 E NORTH BRANCH 45.51N 92.96W
07/12/2015 CHISAGO MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN
1000 PM TSTM WND DMG LUCK 45.58N 92.47W
07/12/2015 POLK WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN
1040 PM HAIL DELANO 45.04N 93.79W
07/12/2015 M0.75 INCH WRIGHT MN NWS EMPLOYEE
1040 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 N DASSEL 45.11N 94.31W
07/12/2015 MEEKER MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN ACROSS ROAD
1040 PM TSTM WND DMG MONTICELLO 45.30N 93.80W
07/12/2015 WRIGHT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
LARGE TREE DOWN ON POWER LINE RIVERVIEW DR
1048 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW HOWARD LAKE 45.02N 94.10W
07/12/2015 WRIGHT MN TRAINED SPOTTER
3 TREES DOWN. CROP DAMAGE CORN BLOWN DOWN CR 30SW.
1058 PM TSTM WND DMG 8 NE DASSEL 45.16N 94.19W
07/12/2015 WRIGHT MN PUBLIC
TREE DOWN.
1110 PM TSTM WND DMG RICE LAKE 45.50N 91.74W
07/12/2015 BARRON WI TRAINED SPOTTER
A COUPLE LARGE 2 FOOT TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN
1110 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 S ALMENA 45.34N 92.02W
07/12/2015 BARRON WI AMATEUR RADIO
COUPLE SMALL TREES PUSHED OVER IN ARLAND WI
1130 PM LIGHTNING ST MICHAEL 45.21N 93.66W
07/12/2015 WRIGHT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SEVERE ROOF DAMAGE TO HOME.
1145 PM TSTM WND DMG 25 SW LADYSMITH 45.21N 91.46W
07/12/2015 CHIPPEWA WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
SMALL TREES KNOCKED DOWN NEAR BORDER WITH CHIPPEWA
COUNTY.
1149 PM HAIL BURNSVILLE 44.76N 93.28W
07/12/2015 M0.50 INCH DAKOTA MN PUBLIC
HAIL OCCURRED FOR 9 MINUTES. MINOR DAMAGE TO OUTDOOR
PLANTS.
1157 PM HAIL EAGAN 44.82N 93.16W
07/12/2015 E0.88 INCH DAKOTA MN PUBLIC
1200 AM TSTM WND GST 7 ESE COLFAX 44.96N 91.59W
07/13/2015 M66.00 MPH CHIPPEWA WI TRAINED SPOTTER
SEVERAL TREES DOWN
1200 AM TSTM WND DMG SHAKOPEE 44.80N 93.53W
07/13/2015 SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
1210 AM TSTM WND DMG PRIOR LAKE 44.73N 93.43W
07/13/2015 SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0611 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 NW WILLOW RIVER STATE 45.06N 92.73W
07/13/2015 E4.00 INCH ST. CROIX WI TRAINED SPOTTER
0615 AM HEAVY RAIN 5 SW FOLEY 45.61N 93.98W
07/13/2015 M2.67 INCH BENTON MN PUBLIC
0618 AM HEAVY RAIN BRANDON 45.97N 95.60W
07/13/2015 E3.50 INCH DOUGLAS MN PUBLIC
0630 AM HEAVY RAIN MAPLE PLAIN 45.01N 93.66W
07/13/2015 M3.20 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0740 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 NNW NORTH ST PAUL 45.03N 93.01W
07/13/2015 M2.79 INCH RAMSEY MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0946 AM HEAVY RAIN LINO LAKES 45.16N 93.08W
07/13/2015 M2.26 INCH ANOKA MN TRAINED SPOTTER
1100 AM HEAVY RAIN ST JOSEPH 45.57N 94.32W
07/13/2015 M2.30 INCH STEARNS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
1230 PM TSTM WND DMG STANLEY 44.96N 90.94W
07/13/2015 CHIPPEWA WI TRAINED SPOTTER
A FEW SMALL TREES TOPPLED. PORTION OF TOWN OUT OF POWER
FROM 1230 AM TO 0400 AM.
1241 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 E FALL CREEK 44.76N 91.23W
07/13/2015 EAU CLAIRE WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN.
1246 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 NE FALL CREEK 44.81N 91.20W
07/13/2015 EAU CLAIRE WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN.
0137 PM TSTM WND DMG AUGUSTA 44.68N 91.12W
07/13/2015 EAU CLAIRE WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN.
0150 PM TSTM WND DMG EAU CLAIRE 44.82N 91.49W
07/13/2015 EAU CLAIRE WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
WIRES DOWN.
Last modified: October 13, 2014
For more information contact: [email protected]