Heavy Rains, High Winds and Tornadoes: September 20, 2018

Precipitation for the 24-hour period ending at 7am, September 5, 2018
Dark clouds loom to the northwest of the Watonwan County Fairgrounds: September 20, 2018
Courtesy: MNDNR State Climatology Office

Summer’s finale came with a squall line bringing high winds, flooding rains and tornadoes.

On September 20, 2018 a warm front over northern Iowa lifted north and was associated with a deepening low-pressure system. A large area of rain shifted north over southern and central Minnesota during the morning. Warm air surged into southeast Minnesota by late afternoon. Clusters of strong thunderstorms developed and moved to the northeast across the Twin Cities, causing street flooding. The finale was a squall line of thunderstorms in the evening, bringing a “car wash” style downpour and damaging winds south of the Twin Cities.

Damaging winds ranging from 40 MPH in Eden Prairie up to 70 MPH in Mankato in the squall line were reported. The long line of storms produced tornado-like damage in the cities of Granada, Winnebago, Goodhue, Waseca, Faribault, and Northfield. Many trees were reported down in these areas and structural damage to homes and businesses. The Faribault Municipal Airport was hit hard with flipped planes and flattened structures. The National Weather Service determined that seventeen tornadoes touched down in Minnesota. The strongest being an EF2 tornado that was hundreds of yards wide and tracked for nearly 26 miles near Morristown and Faribault in Rice County. Winds of 120 to 130 mph hit southern Morristown and destroyed several homes. This tornado continued through northern Faribault and destroyed several buildings at the airport.

Schools were canceled due to storm damage in Waterville-Elysian-Morristown areas as well as Faribault, Northfield and Cannon Falls. Sakata Lake State Park was also closed for the weekend of September 21-23 to clean up storm damage. There was even a snow plow brought out in Elysian to clear storm damage.

The heaviest rainfall found for the 24 hour period ending the morning of September 21 was 4.52 inches at a CoCoRaHS volunteer site in Mendota Heights and 4.42 inches at a MNgage volunteer location in south Minneapolis. The Twin Cities International Airport saw 3.28 inches of rain, the 18th largest calendar rainfall in the Twin Cities back to 1871. This is also the 5th largest daily rainfall total to occur after September 1. The 5-day total at MSP of 5.02” is the fourth highest distinct total on record to have occurred after Sep 1. The events ahead of it were in 1900, 1903, and 1934. So this wetness certainly was not without precedent, but it was significant.

With thanks to Climatology Volunteer Cara Foster for assisting with this summary.

National Weather Service Storm Summaries

Storm Reports and Public Information Statements from the National Weather Service

Public Information Statement...CORRECTED GRANADA TORNADO 
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 
413 PM CDT Fri Sep 28 2018 
...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 09/20/2018 TORNADO EVENT - UPDATE 2... 
...TORNADO COUNT STANDS AT 16... 
.Update...Following several ground surveys; utilizing high 
resolution satellite and radar imagery; speaking with local 
officials, trained spotters, and the general public; and drone and 
aerial footage it appears there were 16 tornadoes from southern 
to eastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin on September 20 
2018. This information may be updated as new data becomes 
available. 
The difficulty with surveying this event was due in part to many 
potential tornado tracks amongst widespread wind damage. Since the 
storms were racing east northeastward around 65 mph, many of the 
typical indicators for differentiating tornado versus straight 
line wind damage were not available (e.g. debris deposited 
westward), particularly across Rice County. Instead, there were 
areas of enhanced damage on the southern end of the tornado track, 
with little damage to the north. Most of the damage was to trees, 
although there were pockets of significant structural damage. 
Survey teams received numerous accounts of survivors seeking 
shelter immediately after receiving the Tornado Warning via a 
Wireless Emergency Alert notification. Some of these people later 
had their house or other structure significantly damaged or 
destroyed. It is of the opinion of the surveyors that this was one 
big factor for the lack of fatalities or injuries. 
The NWS would like to thank all the spotters, local officials, 
broadcast television, local media, volunteer and media drone 
operators, and citizens that contributed to the sharing of 
information before, during, and after the event. 
Overall, there were six EF0s, nine EF1s, and one EF2.  
.Granada, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    95 to 105 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  6.5 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   220 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             552 PM CDT 
Start location:         1 N Granada 
Start Lat/Lon:          43.6981 / -94.3531 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               559 PM CDT 
End location:           7 NE Blue Earth 
End_lat/lon:            43.7095 / -94.2240 
Video and ground survey confirmed a tornado just north of Granada 
which tracked to the east. 
.Lake Elysian, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    95 to 105 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  6.8 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   200 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             619 PM CDT 
Start location:         3 NE Janesville MN 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.1428 / -93.7562 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               624 PM CDT 
End location:           2 ESE Elysian 
End_lat/lon:            44.1916 / -93.6449 
Ground survey and radar data confirmed tornado along the southeast 
shore of Lake Elysian. 
.Janesville, MN (east) Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    65 to 75 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  0.8 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   20 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             622 PM CDT 
Start location:         5 E Janesville 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.1186 / -93.6027 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               623 PM CDT 
End location:           6 E Janesville 
End_lat/lon:            44.1243 / -93.5902 
Satellite data and ground survey confirmed narrow track through corn 
east of Janesville. 
.Owatonna, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    95 to 105 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  27.0 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   200 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             623 PM CDT 
Start location:         2 N Waldorf 
Start Lat/Lon:          43.9609 / -93.6973 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               642 PM CDT 
End location:           3 E Owatonna 
End_lat/lon:            44.0879 / -93.1786 
Satellite data and ground survey confirmed tornado that formed north 
of Waldorf and tracked through Owatonna before dissipating east of 
town. 
.Waterville, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    90 to 100 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  7.7 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   500 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             626 PM CDT 
Start location:         2 SW Waterville 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.2106 / -93.5927 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               632 PM CDT 
End location:           1 SW Caron Lake 
End_lat/lon:            44.2838 / -93.4849 
Radar data, ground survey, and cell phone video confirmed tornado through 
Waterville MN. Most of the damage on Upper Sakatah Lake was from storm 
inflow accelerating across the water and damaging the trees and structures 
along the north shoreline. 
.Medford, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    100 to 110 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  27.8 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   500 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             630 PM CDT 
Start location:         1 E Waseca 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.0804 / -93.4741 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               652 PM CDT 
End location:           2 SE Nerstrand 
End_lat/lon:            44.3127 / -93.0205 
Satellite imagery, radar, and ground survey confirmed tornado from just 
east of Waseca through northern Medford and ending near Nerstrand. 
Several farmsteads were heavily damaged or destroyed. 
.Morristown/Faribault, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF2 
Estimated peak wind:    120 to 130 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  25.8 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   1000 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             632 PM CDT 
Start location:         Morristown 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.2202 / -93.4400 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:                               654 PM CDT 
End location:                   2 N Dennison 
End_lat/lon:                    44.4408 / -93.0219 
This was the strongest of all the tornadoes. Winds of 120 to 130 
mph hit southern Morristown and destroyed several homes. This 
tornado continued through northern Faribault and destroyed several 
buildings at the airport. The path beyond Faribault is more 
uncertain with widespread wind damage and other potential tracks 
complicating the survey. 
.Faribault, MN (west & north) Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    90 to 100 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  7.7 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   400 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             638 PM CDT 
Start location:         Cedar Lake 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.3067 / -93.4033 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               644 PM CDT 
End location:           4 N Faribault 
End_lat/lon:            44.3658 / -93.2875 
Another area of enhanced damage occurred from Cedar Lake up through north 
of Faribault. Radar showed and area of broad rotation from Faribault up 
through Northfield. 
.Dundas, MN (south) Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    85 to 95 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  14.3 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   400 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             643 PM CDT 
Start location:         5 N Faribault 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.3873 / -93.2934 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               657 PM CDT 
End location:           2 N Dennison 
End_lat/lon:            44.4431 / -93.0384 
Another area of enhanced damage north of Faribault. Radar showed an area of 
broad rotation from Faribault up through Northfield. Storm survey 
indicated rotation and tornadic damage, but this was complicated by the 
widespread wind damage and potential for multiple circulations. 
.Dundas, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    70 to 80 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  3.8 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   50 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             648 PM CDT 
Start location:         3 SW Dundas 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.4088 / -93.2603 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               650 PM CDT 
End location:           Dundas 
End_lat/lon:            44.4318 / -93.1945 
Radar showed two brief couplets forming southwest of Dundas. Storm survey 
indicated rotation and tornadic damage, but this was complicated by the 
widespread wind damage and potential for multiple circulations. 
.Northfield, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    100 to 110 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  8.9 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   400 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             653 PM CDT 
Start location:         2 E Northfield 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.4583 / -93.1291 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               701 PM CDT 
End location:           2 S Lake Byllesby 
End_lat/lon:            44.4821 / -92.9548 
Higher end damage along a concentrated path south of Hwy 19. Radar showed 
an area of broad rotation. 
.Wanamingo/Zumbrota, MN Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    70 to 80 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  19.4 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   250 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             656 PM CDT 
Start location:         6 SW Wanamingo 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.2672 / -92.9006 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               715 PM CDT 
End location:           2 SW Bellechester 
End_lat/lon:            44.3690 / -92.5344 
Satellite, radar data, and ground survey confirmed 10 mile track south 
of Wanamingo. Most of the damage was in the corn field. 
.Cannon Falls, MN (south) Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF1 
Estimated peak wind:    85 to 95 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  1.7 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   100 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             701 PM CDT 
Start location:         3 S Cannon Falls 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.4777 / -92.9197 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               703 PM CDT 
End location:           1 S Cannon Falls 
End_lat/lon:            44.4962 / -92.9031 
Storm survey showed brief track in southern Cannon Falls. 
.Cannon Falls, MN (north) Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    70 to 80 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  3.5 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   100 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             702 PM CDT 
Start location:         4 NW Cannon Falls 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.5419 / -92.9688 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               705 PM CDT 
End location:           2 N Cannon Falls 
End_lat/lon:            44.5351 / -92.9076 
Satellite data showed narrow track northwest of town, and ground survey 
confirmed damage near Hwy 20 north of town. 
.Prairie Island, MN to Diamond Bluff, WI Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    65 to 75 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  3.9 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   200 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             717 PM CDT 
Start location:         Prairie Island 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.6337 / -92.6776 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               720 PM CDT 
End location:           1 SE Diamond Bluff 
End_lat/lon:            44.6445 / -92.6100 
Storm survey identified brief area of tornadic damage near Prairie 
Island across the Mississippi River to south of Diamond Bluff. 
.Ellsworth, WI Tornado... 
Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated peak wind:    70 to 80 mph 
Path length /Statute/:  1.7 miles 
Path width /Maximum/:   25 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0 
Start date:             Sep_20_2018 
Start time:             726 PM CDT 
Start location:         1 E Ellsworth 
Start Lat/Lon:          44.7328 / -92.4720 
End date:               Sep_20_2018 
End time:               728 PM CDT 
End location:           2 NE Ellsworth 
End_lat/lon:            44.7470 / -92.4489 
SURVEY_SUMMARY: 
NWS Twin Cities utilized radar data, cell phone and drone video, 
ground survey information, satellite imagery, and spotter reports 
to classify the damage. Areas near Faribault, Northfield, and 
Cannon Falls were the most uncertain. This information will continue 
to be modified as new data becomes available. 
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the 
following categories. 
EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph 
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph 
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph 
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph 
EF4...Violent...166 To 200 mph 
EF5...Violent...>200 mph 
NOTE: 
The information in this statement is PRELIMINARY and subject to 
change pending final review of the event and publication in 
NWS Storm Data. 
$$ 
NWS Twin Cities
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1206 PM CDT FRI SEP 21 2018
..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0538 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CEYLON                  43.53N 94.63W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. 
0544 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WELCOME                 43.67N 94.62W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   STORM CHASER     
NUMEROUS LARGE BRANCHES DOWN. 
0549 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CEYLON                  43.54N 94.63W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   PUBLIC           
PHOTOS RELAYED VIA TWITTER OF LARGE BROKEN 
TREE BRANCHES, TREES DOWN, AND AN 
OUTBUILDING DESTROYED. 
0550 PM     TSTM WND DMG     GRANADA                 43.70N 94.34W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
HOUSE PUSHED OFF FOUNDATION. TREES DOWN. 
0552 PM     TORNADO          GRANADA                 43.70N 94.35W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   STORM CHASER     
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 
GRANADA. VIDEO OF TORNADO RELAYED BY 
SECONDHAND SOURCE VIA TWITTER. SEVERAL 
HOUSES DAMAGED NEAR GRANADA. 
0605 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SW SKYLINE            44.12N 94.07W
09/20/2018                   BLUE EARTH         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
TREE DOWN ON PROPANE TANK. 
0605 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FAIRMONT                43.65N 94.46W
09/20/2018                   MARTIN             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
TREE DOWN. 
0610 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 ESE SKYLINE           44.13N 93.99W
09/20/2018  M67 MPH          BLUE EARTH         MN   MESONET          
MESONET STATION AS022, SKYLINE 2E. 
0614 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SSE WINNEBAGO         43.71N 94.14W
09/20/2018                   FARIBAULT          MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 4 
SSE WINNEBAGO. FARIBAULT COUNTY EM CALLED IN 
TO REPORT NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED AND DOWN AT 
GOLF COURSE. 
0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E MADISON LAKE        44.20N 93.78W
09/20/2018                   BLUE EARTH         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNE MADISON LAKE      44.21N 93.81W
09/20/2018                   BLUE EARTH         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN,. 
0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WSW SMITHS MILL       44.12N 93.82W
09/20/2018                   BLUE EARTH         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0617 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 NNW EAGLE LAKE        44.22N 93.92W
09/20/2018  M70 MPH          BLUE EARTH         MN   AWOS             
AWOS STATION MKT, MANKATO AP. 
0620 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 2 S ELYSIAN             44.18N 93.68W
09/20/2018                   WASECA             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
HOUSE DAMAGED. RADAR DEBRIS SIGNATURE IN THE 
SAME AREA. TORNADO REPORTED VIA HAM RADIO. 
0623 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ELYSIAN                 44.20N 93.68W
09/20/2018                   LE SUEUR           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
ONE HALF OF A TREE SNAPPED. NO DIAMETER OR 
PHOTO PROVIDED. 
0624 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E MOUND               44.94N 93.65W
09/20/2018                   HENNEPIN           MN   PUBLIC           
RELAYED BY EM. 
0626 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 S WASECA              44.02N 93.49W
09/20/2018                   WASECA             MN   STORM CHASER     
STORM CHASER CALLED TO REPORT MULTIPLE 6-12 
INCH TREE BRANCHES DOWN. POWER POLE AND 18 
INCH PINE TREE ALSO SNAPPED. NO PHOTOS 
PROVIDED. 
0626 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NE SMITHS MILL        44.15N 93.75W
09/20/2018                   WASECA             MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
PHONE CALL TO RELAY THAT A HOUSE WAS 
DESTROYED. NO PHOTO PROVIDED. 
0628 PM     TSTM WND DMG     EASTON                  43.77N 93.91W
09/20/2018                   FARIBAULT          MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
CORRECT TIME - EASTON. FARIBAULT COUNTY EM 
CALLED TO REPORT NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER 
LINES DOWN. 
0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WATERVILLE              44.22N 93.57W
09/20/2018                   LE SUEUR           MN   AMATEUR RADIO    
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AROUND WATERVILLE. 
0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E WATERVILLE          44.22N 93.56W
09/20/2018                   LE SUEUR           MN   PUBLIC           
PHOTO RELAYED VIA TWITTER OF TREES AND POWER 
LINES DOWN ACROSS ROAD. 
0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E WATERVILLE          44.22N 93.56W
09/20/2018                   LE SUEUR           MN   BROADCAST MEDIA  
TWEET WITH PHOTOS OF TREES DOWN AND MINOR 
DAMAGE TO WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN HIGH 
SCHOOL. 
0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNW ALDEN             43.71N 93.60W
09/20/2018                   FREEBORN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. ROOFS 
OFF OUTBUILDINGS. TIME APPROXIMATE. 
0634 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNE MINNETONKA        44.94N 93.46W
09/20/2018                   HENNEPIN           MN   PUBLIC           
RELAYED BY EM. 
0635 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 WSW WASECA            44.07N 93.55W
09/20/2018  M61 MPH          WASECA             MN   AWOS             
AWOS STATION ACQ, WASECA AP. 
0635 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MORRISTOWN              44.23N 93.44W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   AMATEUR RADIO    
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN FROM MORRISTOWN TO 
WATERVILLE. 
0636 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 W OWATONNA            44.09N 93.26W
09/20/2018  M52 MPH          STEELE             MN   PUBLIC           
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 2 
W OWATONNA. REPORT RELAYED BY STEELE COUNTY 
EM FROM TRAINED SPOTTER. 
0639 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MEDFORD                 44.18N 93.24W
09/20/2018                   STEELE             MN   PUBLIC           
PUBLIC REPORT OF TREES UPROOTED AND SNAPPED 
AT THE BASE IN MEDFORD. 
0642 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 3 NNE MEDFORD           44.21N 93.23W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
CALLED IN TO REPORT TREES DOWN AND UPROOTED. 
A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A SHED AND THERE ARE 
ROAD BLOCKAGES. RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO. 
0643 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 1 NW FARIBAULT          44.30N 93.27W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   PUBLIC           
SECOND-HAND RELAY FROM STORM SPOTTERS OF A 
TORNADO CROSSING I-35 NEAR FARIBAULT. NO 
PHOTO PROVIDED. 
0643 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 W OWATONNA            44.09N 93.26W
09/20/2018  M52 MPH          STEELE             MN   PUBLIC           
REPORT RELAYED BY STEELE COUNTY EM FROM 
TRAINED SPOTTER. 
0643 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 1 NW FARIBAULT          44.30N 93.27W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   PUBLIC           
SECOND-HAND RELAY FROM STORM SPOTTERS OF A 
TORNADO CROSSING I-35 NEAR FARIBAULT. NO 
PHOTO PROVIDED. 
0643 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N FARIBAULT           44.31N 93.27W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
TWEET WITH PHOTOS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO 
METCON BUILDING AND SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE 
NEARBY. 
0644 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NE OWATONNA           44.10N 93.21W
09/20/2018                   STEELE             MN   PUBLIC           
0644 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   PUBLIC           
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 
FARIBAULT. PUBLIC REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREES 
DOWN IN FARIBAULT. MAXIMUM DIAMETER 
ESTIMATED TO BE 2 FEET. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED. 
0645 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NW FARIBAULT          44.33N 93.31W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT FARIBAULT AIRPORT. 
PLANES FLIPPED. OTHER DAMAGE REPORTS JUST 
COMING IN TO RICE COUNTY EM. 
0650 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SE OWATONNA           44.08N 93.21W
09/20/2018                   STEELE             MN   PUBLIC           
SEVERAL TREES DOWN PER SKYWARN GROUP ON 
SOCIAL MEDIA. 
0650 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FARMINGTON              44.64N 93.14W
09/20/2018                   DAKOTA             MN   911 CALL CENTER  
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0651 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 WNW RANDOLPH          44.54N 93.14W
09/20/2018                   DAKOTA             MN   911 CALL CENTER  
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0652 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 W DENNISON            44.40N 93.12W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   NWS EMPLOYEE     
FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM 
RELATIVES THAT MANY LARGE PINE TREES WERE 
DOWN AND A CAMPER WAS MOVED. 
0652 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 ENE NORTHFIELD        44.47N 93.10W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   NWS EMPLOYEE     
FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM 
RELATIVES THAT A LARGE GRAIN LEG WAS DOWN 
AND BINS WERE DAMAGED. 
0652 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNW DENNISON          44.45N 93.08W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   NWS EMPLOYEE     
FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM 
RELATIVES THAT A SHED HAD BLOWN AND LARGE 
TREES HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN. 
0653 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WEST ST. PAUL           44.90N 93.09W
09/20/2018                   DAKOTA             MN   911 CALL CENTER  
TREES DOWN. 
0654 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N DENNISON            44.44N 93.04W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
RELAYED REPORT VIA NWSCHAT OF SEVERAL TREES 
SNAPPED AND CEMENT STAVE STYLE SILO BLOWN 
DOWN ON FARM. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED. 
0654 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 3 E NORTHFIELD          44.46N 93.10W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   PUBLIC           
MPING REPORT OF A TORNADO. 
0655 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNW OWATONNA          44.10N 93.23W
09/20/2018                   STEELE             MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
CORRECTS TIME - REPORT FROM 1 NNW OWATONNA. 
STEELE COUNTY EM CALLED TO REPORT NUMEROUS 
6-12 INCH TREES SNAPPED AND DOWN IN 
OWATONNA. 
0657 PM     POSSIBLE TORNADO 4 S RANDOLPH            44.47N 93.02W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   OFFICIAL NWS OBS 
GOODHUE COUNTY 911 CENTER REPORTS 
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT STANTON AIRPORT. RADAR 
CONFIRMED A TORNADO IN THE AREA. 
0659 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RANDOLPH                44.53N 93.02W
09/20/2018                   DAKOTA             MN   911 CALL CENTER  
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0700 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HAMPTON                 44.61N 93.00W
09/20/2018                   DAKOTA             MN   911 CALL CENTER  
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0702 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.91W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA  
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 
CANNON FALLS. PHOTOS OF LARGE, HEALTHY TREES 
UPROOTED AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO 
OUTBUILDINGS. RELAYED VIA TWITTER BY TV 
METEOROLOGIST. 
0702 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.91W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   PUBLIC           
TWEET WITH PHOTOS SHOWING TREES DOWN ON 
ROADS AND HOUSES ONE MILE SOUTH OF MAYO 
HOSPITAL. 
0703 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.91W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   911 CALL CENTER  
MANY TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. POSSIBLY A 
CONTINUATION OF THE TORNADO TO THE 
SOUTHWEST. 
0705 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.90W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. POWER OUT IN CANNON 
FALLS. 
0705 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.90W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. POWER OUT IN CANNON 
FALLS. 
0714 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 SW FALL CREEK         44.70N 91.35W
09/20/2018                   EAU CLAIRE         WI   TRAINED SPOTTER  
CALLED IN TO REPORT TREES DOWN OVER HWY 53. 
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM DIAMETER WAS 10 INCHES. 
0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     7 NW RED WING           44.63N 92.65W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER  
SOME TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AROUND 
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY. 
0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RED WING                44.57N 92.53W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   911 CALL CENTER  
A FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0720 PM     TSTM WND GST     6 E MIESVILLE           44.60N 92.70W
09/20/2018  M63 MPH          GOODHUE            MN   MESONET          
MESONET STATION MN047, RED WING 4W. 
0725 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ELLSWORTH               44.73N 92.49W
09/20/2018                   PIERCE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. TIME 
APPROXIMATE. 
0727 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 SSE WINNEBAGO         43.71N 94.14W
09/20/2018                   FARIBAULT          MN   EMERGENCY MNGR   
FARIBAULT COUNTY EM CALLED IN TO REPORT 
NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED AND DOWN AT GOLF 
COURSE. 
0728 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N STOCKHOLM           44.52N 92.25W
09/20/2018                   PEPIN              WI   BROADCAST MEDIA  
CORRECTS TIME - TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 2 N 
STOCKHOLM. REPORT VIA NWSCHAT OF TREE DOWN 
OVER HWY 35 SOUTH OF STOCKHOLM. ALSO, A 
DOWNED POWER LINE STARTED A FIRE IN A WOODS. 
0730 PM     TSTM WND DMG     STOCKHOLM               44.48N 92.25W
09/20/2018                   PEPIN              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 
0734 PM     TSTM WND DMG     SPRING VALLEY           44.85N 92.24W
09/20/2018                   PIERCE             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER  
CALLED IN TO REPORT DAMAGE TO SPRING VALLEY 
HIGH SCHOOL. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED. 
0740 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W
09/20/2018                   RICE               MN   PUBLIC           
PUBLIC REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN 
FARIBAULT. MAXIMUM DIAMETER ESTIMATED TO BE 
2 FEET. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED. 
0757 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N STOCKHOLM           44.52N 92.25W
09/20/2018                   PEPIN              WI   BROADCAST MEDIA  
REPORT VIA NWSCHAT OF TREE DOWN OVER HWY 35 
SOUTH OF STOCKHOLM. ALSO, A DOWNED POWER 
LINE STARTED A FIRE IN A WOODS. 
0802 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RIVER FALLS             44.85N 92.62W
09/20/2018                   PIERCE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT  
FEW TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. TIME 
APPROXIMATE. 
0804 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CANNON FALLS            44.51N 92.91W
09/20/2018                   GOODHUE            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA  
PHOTOS OF LARGE, HEALTHY TREES UPROOTED AND 
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO OUTBUILDINGS. RELAYED 
VIA TWITTER BY TV METEOROLOGIST. 
0813 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ALTOONA                 44.81N 91.43W
09/20/2018                   EAU CLAIRE         WI   TRAINED SPOTTER  
MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 

Last modified: October 1, 2018

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