June 2010 Northern Plains tornado outbreak

The June 2010 Northern Plains tornado outbreak was one of the most prolific summer tornado outbreaks in the Northern Great Plains of the United States on record. The outbreak began on June 16 with several tornadoes in South Dakota and Montana. The most intense storms took place the following day across much of eastern North Dakota and much of Minnesota. The system produced 93 tornadoes reported across four states while killing three people in Minnesota. Four of the tornadoes were rated as EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the most violent tornadoes in a 24-hour period since there were five within 15 hours on February 5–6, 2008. This was the region's first major tornado outbreak of the year and one of the largest on record in the region, comparable to a similar outbreak in June 1992. The 48 tornadoes that touched down in Minnesota on June 17 marked the most active single day in the state's history.[1] June 17 was the second largest tornado day on record in the meteorological summer, behind the most prolific day of the 2003 South Dakota tornado outbreak on June 24, 2003.

Mid-June 2010 tornado outbreak

Tracks of the 74 tornadoes that touched down across the Northern Plains on June 17
Type	Tornado outbreak
Duration	June 16 – 18, 2010
Tornadoes confirmed	93 confirmed
Max. rating^1	EF4 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak^2	56 hours, 52 minutes
Damage	$117.7 million
Casualties	3 + 2 non-tornadic
^1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale ^2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Synopsis

On June 16, 2010, an upper-level area of low pressure and associated trough moved southeastward across the Rocky Mountains into the Great Plains. Along the base of the trough, the presence of a strong mid-level jet stream provided significant instability; however, warm-air aloft was expected to limit the extent of convective development. Moderate to strong deep layer wind shear along with steep lapse rates would allow for the development of supercell thunderstorms with large hail (greater than 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter). In light of this, the Storm Prediction Center issued a slight-risk of severe weather for portions of Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.[2]

An EF2 tornado near Dupree, South Dakota on June 16

The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for June 17, 2010 citing a 10% threat for tornadoes, 45% threat for large hail and 45% threat for damaging wind, initially thinking tornadoes would quickly reform into a straight-line wind event. The moderate risk area extended from around Fargo, North Dakota to Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska including the Twin Cities area, with a slight risk area extending across the Upper Midwest. Surface dew points reached the low 70s °F (low 20s °C) with surface temperatures well into 80s °F (near 30 °C) across Minnesota. Surface-based CAPE values were forecast to reach 2000–3000 J/kg.[3]

The first tornadoes were reported across eastern North Dakota during the mid-afternoon hours where a tornado watch was issued for most of the state as well as extreme northwestern Minnesota closer to the Manitoba and northwestern Ontario borders where many tornadoes, some strong to violent, touched down late that afternoon.[4] After several tornadoes affected areas near the Grand Forks area and closer to the Canada–US border, the activity eventually shifted into northwestern Minnesota by the late afternoon hours while storms over northern Iowa moved across southern Minnesota near the Interstate 90 corridor producing many tornadoes. Other storms developed over central Minnesota near Interstate 94 but most activity missed the Twin Cities area. The supercells eventually reached the Wisconsin border later that evening and reformed into a squall line, rapidly ending the severe weather outbreak. Isolated tornado reports also occurred across Wisconsin and Iowa. Three people were killed according to KARE-TV including one in Mentor (Polk County), one in Almora (Otter Tail County)[5] and one near Albert Lea (Freeborn County) an area that sustained heavy damage from a possible long-track tornado.[6] Large tornadoes were sighted in Kiester in Faribault County and near Ellendale and Blooming Prairie in Steele County, Minnesota.[7]

The town of Wadena was also hard hit; the high school was heavily damaged by a tornado that prompted a tornado emergency. Extensive damage was also reported in various other communities in Minnesota as well as in North Dakota from either tornadoes or widespread damaging winds such as in the Rochester, Minnesota area where several buildings, including homes, were heavily damaged on the northern side of the town. A local emergency was declared in Rochester by the mayor following the storms.[7] The three tornado fatalities in Minnesota were the most for a single outbreak since 1978, and the three EF4 tornadoes were the most on a single day since 1967.[8]

A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of southern Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois during the mid-morning of June 18 citing mostly the threat for damaging winds (45%), though a few tornadoes would be possible as CAPE values of 4000 j/kg were forecast across the Missouri and mid-Mississippi Valleys, especially behind the main derecho.[9] Such did not materialize, however.

Tornadoes reported

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating

EFU	EF0	EF1	EF2	EF3	EF4	EF5	Total
0	48	28	9	4	4	0	93

June 16 event

List of reported tornadoes – Wednesday, June 16, 2010
EF#	Location	County	Coord.	Time (UTC)	Path length	Comments/Damage
South Dakota
EF0	S of Red Elm (1st tornado)	Ziebach	44°57′N 101°46′W	2304 – 2305	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[10]
EF0	S of Red Elm (2nd tornado)	Ziebach	45°00′N 101°46′W	2330 – 2332	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[11]
EF0	S of Red Elm (3rd tornado)	Ziebach	45°00′N 101°46′W	2340	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[11]
EF0	S of Red Elm (4th tornado)	Ziebach	45°00′N 101°46′W	2341	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[11]
EF1	SW of Dupree (1st tornado)	Ziebach	45°01′N 101°40′W	0022 – 0045	2 miles (3.2 km)	A brief tornado downed several power lines.[12]
EF0	SW of Dupree (2nd tornado)	Ziebach		0030	unknown	Satellite tornado to the previous event.[12]
EF2	Dupree area	Ziebach	45°02′N 101°36′W	0033 – 0049	1 mile (1.6 km)	Considerable damage in the community with several houses heavily damaged, the local community center lost its roof and mobile homes and grain bins were destroyed. Two people were injured and damage amounted to $750,000.[13]
EF0	WNW of Dupree (1st tornado)	Ziebach	45°03′N 101°36′W	0040 – 0042	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[14]
EF0	WNW of Dupree (2nd tornado)	Ziebach	45°03′N 101°36′W	0040	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[14]
EF0	NW of Dupree (1st tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0053 – 0058	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (2nd tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0053	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (3rd tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0053	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (4th tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0054	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (5th tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0056	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (6th tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0058	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF0	NW of Dupree (7th tornado)	Ziebach	45.08°N 101.63°W	0058	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.[15]
EF2	ENE of Lantry	Dewey	45.05°N 101.32°W	0135 – 0138	unknown	Brief but intense tornado resulted in severe structural damage to two houses and several pole barns were destroyed, killing a horse.[16]
Montana
EF1	E of Fort Peck	McCone	47.99°N 106.07°W	0256 – 0304	3 miles (4.8 km)	Storage sheds were damaged and numerous trees were snapped.[17]
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 06/16/10, NWS Rapid City, NCDC Storm Data

June 17 event

List of reported tornadoes – Thursday, June 17, 2010
EF#	Location	County	Coord.	Time (UTC)	Path length	Comments/Damage
North Dakota
EF1	SW of Hettinger	Adams	45.99°N 102.63°W	1435	0.6 miles (0.97 km)	A brief tornado touched down along the southwest side of Hettinger, breaking windows in an apartment building and slightly lifting a car off the ground. Damage from the tornado reached $25,000.[18] One of two non-supercell tornadoes spawned during the outbreak.[19]
EF0	E of Noonan	Burke	48.89°N 102.92°W	1931	3.5 miles (5.6 km)	Brief tornado touchdown near the Canada–US border with known damage.[20] Second of two non-supercell tornadoes.[19]
EF0	NW of Gackle	Stutsman	46.81°N 99.24°W	1955	3 miles (4.8 km)	Tornado remained over open country.
EF0	NE of Finley	Steele	47.57°N 97.79°W	2038	4 miles (6.4 km)	Tornado spotted by off-duty NWS Dodge City meteorologist with no damage.
EF0	NE of Pingree	Stutsman	47.18°N 98.88°W	2044	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF4	Thompson area	Traill, Grand Forks	47.78°N 97.17°W	2049	17 miles (27 km)	A house was completely swept away with only an empty basement remaining. A welding building and several farm buildings were destroyed. Trees were snapped and debarked, one of which had a metal chair embedded into it. One person sustained minor injuries.
EF1	N of Berea	Barnes	47.01°N 98.10°W	2101	1 mile (1.6 km)	Several trees and a wooden power pole were knocked down.
EF0	WSW of Dazey	Barnes	47.16°N 98.22°W	2105	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF0	E of Sheyenne	Eddy, Benson	47.82°N 98.87°W	2127	1 mile (1.6 km)	Tornado remained over open country.
EF2	Hope area (1st tornado)	Steele	47.31°N 97.77°W	2128	7 miles (11 km)	Severe tree damage reported at a golf course and on a farm.
EF1	Hope area (2nd tornado)	Steele	47.25°N 97.67°W	2130	7 miles (11 km)	An irrigation system was damaged and trees were knocked down.
EF2	S of Ojata	Grand Forks	47.94°N 97.31°W	2131	7 miles (11 km)	Debris was thrown in the area, including near Grand Forks Air Force Base. Many trees were snapped and a pole barn was destroyed.
EF2	ENE of Hope	Steele	47.35°N 97.61°W	2140	3 miles (4.8 km)	An abandoned farmhouse was destroyed and several farm buildings were heavily damaged. Trees were also damaged.
EF1	NW of Grand Forks	Grand Forks	47.96°N 97.19°W	2147	10 miles (16 km)	A pole barn was damaged and trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF0	NNE of Sherbrooke	Steele	47.62°N 97.56°W	2202	3 miles (4.8 km)	Minor damage limited to a few trees.
EF0	N of Dahlen	Nelson	48.15°N 97.96°W	2215	3 miles (4.8 km)	A few tree limbs were knocked down.
EF1	NE of Poland	Walsh, Marshall (MN)	48.26°N 97.14°W	2221	5 miles (8.0 km)	Several large trees were snapped along the Red River.
EF0	SE of Orr	Grand Forks	48.07°N 97.64°W	2222	1 mile (1.6 km)	A few tree limbs were knocked down.
EF0	W of Thompson	Grand Forks	47.76°N 97.14°W	2230	8 miles (13 km)	Intermittent tornado touchdown with minor tree damage.
EF0	E of Gilby	Grand Forks	48.09°N 97.48°W	2237	2 miles (3.2 km)	Tornado remained over open country.
EF1	W of Fordville	Walsh	48.21°N 97.85°W	2241	2 miles (3.2 km)	Several trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF1	S of Orr	Grand Forks	48.09°N 97.66°W	2245	4 miles (6.4 km)	Several trees were snapped or uprooted.
Minnesota
EF0	SW of Fossum	Norman	47.22°N 96.19°W	2028	1 mile (1.6 km)	Minor tree damage in a cemetery.
EF4	NW of Parker's Prairie to NE of New York Mills	Douglas, Otter Tail	46.09°N 95.46°W	2043	40 miles (64 km)	1 death – Large multiple-vortex tornado flattened several houses and blew them away along Otter Tail County Road 143, one of which had an occupant killed. Numerous other houses were damaged or destroyed. Farm buildings were also obliterated by the tornado, which was up to 1.3 miles (2.1 km) wide. Trees were also debarked and vehicles were thrown into the air. Five others were injured.
EF0	E of Vergas	Otter Tail	46.67°N 95.75°W	2055	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF0	E of Bejou	Mahnomen, Polk	47.43°N 95.89°W	2100	6 miles (9.7 km)	A few trees were knocked down.
EF1	W of Lake Itasca	Clearwater	47.17°N 95.37°W	2132	1 mile (1.6 km)	Trees and limbs were snapped along Long Lost Lake.
EF1	NW of Zerkel	Clearwater	47.34°N 95.48°W	2141	3 miles (4.8 km)	One house sustained minor damage. Extensive tree damage along the path.
EF1	S of Bluffton	Otter Tail	46°18′N 95°13′W	2148	1.5 miles (2.4 km)	See section on this tornado
EF4	Wadena area	Otter Tail, Wadena	46°24′N 95°10′W	2159	10 miles (16 km)	See section on this tornado
EF0	NW of Elmore	Faribault	43.54°N 94.13°W	2205	3 miles (4.8 km)	A metal shed was damaged and trees were uprooted.
EF1	SE of Goodridge	Pennington	48.11°N 95.77°W	2207	2 miles (3.2 km)	Heavy farm equipment was moved around and a few trees were damaged.
EF1	W of Lake George	Hubbard	47.16°N 95.14°W	2217	6 miles (9.7 km)	Many large trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF0	NW of Winsted	McLeod	44.97°N 94.05°W	2223	0.75 miles (1.21 km)	Isolated tree and limb damage and minor crop damage.
EF1	SW of Clearbrook	Clearwater	47.64°N 95.42°W	2229	1 mile (1.6 km)	Several trees and power poles were damaged.
EF0	SSW of Nimrod to SSW of Osnawa	Wadena, Cass	46°36′N 94°52′W	2230	14.8 miles (23.8 km)	See section on this tornado
EF0	SE of Eagle Lake	Blue Earth	44.15°N 93.87°W	2237	3 miles (4.8 km)	Two sheds sustained minor damage. Many trees were damaged.
EF0	NE of Elmore	Faribault	43.52°N 94.01°W	2240	1.9 miles (3.1 km)	Damage mostly to trees from this second tornado in the area.
EF1	NE of Gatzke	Marshall, Roseau	48.46°N 95.62°W	2244	4 miles (6.4 km)	Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF0	W of Kabekona Corner	Hubbard	47.21°N 94.91°W	2248	4 miles (6.4 km)	Damage limited to tree branches.
EF0	W of Benedict	Hubbard	47.12°N 94.79°W	2249	1 mile (1.6 km)	Damage limited to tree branches.
EF1	Fisher area	Polk	47.86°N 96.84°W	2250	7 miles (11 km)	Well-defined tornado sighted by an off-duty SPC meteorologist. A shed was destroyed and many trees were damaged.
EF0	NE of Clear Lake (1st tornado)	Sherburne	45.49°N 93.95°W	2254	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF0	NE of Clear Lake (2nd tornado)	Sherburne	45.48°N 93.96°W	2256	3 miles (4.8 km)	Numerous trees were snapped by a second tornado that touched down as the first one dissipated.
EF1	N of Buffalo	Wright	45.18°N 93.87°W	2300	5 miles (8.0 km)	Many trees were damaged, including snapped trunks, around Constance Lake.
EF1	W of Gentilly	Polk	47.79°N 96.46°W	2300	3 miles (4.8 km)	A grain bin was tossed and trees were uprooted.
EF0	SSW of Bricelyn	Faribault	43.51°N 93.85°W	2305	1 mile (1.6 km)	Tornado remained over open country.
EF0	N of Angus	Polk	48.09°N 96.71°W	2306	2 miles (3.2 km)	One house sustained minor damage and a few tree limbs were knocked down.
EF0	SW of Walters	Faribault	43.51°N 93.83°W	2310	unknown	Spotter reported tornado on the ground. No damage reported.
EF2	Kiester area (1st tornado)	Faribault	43.50°N 93.71°W	2313	1 mile (1.6 km)	Several grain bins were destroyed and many trees were knocked down.
EF3	Mentor area	Polk, Red Lake	47.67°N 96.13°W	2315	15 miles (24 km)	1 death – A Cenex station was hit killing one person. The gas station and four vehicles were destroyed by the multiple-vortex tornado. Many trees, farm buildings and a farm house were also heavily damaged. Cabins, RVs, and cottages were heavily damaged along Maple Lake. Boats and docks were picked up by tornado and tossed.
EF2	Kiester area (2nd tornado)	Faribault	43.52°N 93.71°W	2316	unknown	Tornado quickly developed after the first Keister tornado developed, the two tornadoes merged. Severe tree damage in the area.
EF1	E of Dorothy	Red Lake	47.92°N 96.36°W	2316	2 miles (3.2 km)	A parked semi-trailer was blown off a highway, injuring the driver.
EF0	E of Kiester	Faribault	43.54°N 93.65°W	2323	unknown	Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF1	N of Radium	Marshall	48.27°N 96.62°W	2326	7 miles (11 km)	Large trees were snapped and a shed was damaged.
EF1	SE of Walters	Faribault, Freeborn	43.57°N 93.64°W	2328	unknown	Brief tornado damaged a few trees.
EF4	W of Albert Lea	Freeborn	43.62°N 93.53°W	2333	20 miles (32 km)	1 death – Dozens of farms were affected and several houses were destroyed or leveled by this large wedge tornado. Some farmsteads were entirely destroyed by the tornado. Three hog confinements were destroyed with several hogs escaping. A wind energy facility was also damaged and vehicles were tossed. There were also additional major infrastructure damage along with gas leaks. Trees were also debarked and many farm structures were destroyed across the county. 14 others were injured, some severely.
EF1	Armstrong	Freeborn	43.69°N 93.48°W	2355	1 mile (1.6 km)	Satellite tornado related to the Albert Lea tornado. Several grain bins, structures and trees were damaged.
EF3	Ellendale area	Freeborn, Steele	43.84°N 93.30°W	0005	18.7 miles (30.1 km)	One house and many outbuildings were destroyed and several other houses were damaged. Many trees were damaged, some of which were debarked.
EF1	Clarks Grove area	Freeborn, Steele	43.60°N 93.37°W	0015	12.9 miles (20.8 km)	Tornado paralleled the Ellendale tornado. Damage to farm houses, many outbuildings (some of which were destroyed) and trees.
EF1	SW of Lerdal	Freeborn	43.71°N 93.27°W	0042	5 miles (8.0 km)	A barn was destroyed and sheds were damaged.
EF3	W of Hollandale	Freeborn	43.76°N 93.27°W	0047	5 miles (8.0 km)	One house and many outbuildings were flattened and several other houses were damaged, some severely. Major damage to trees with some debarked.
EF1	WSW of Newry	Freeborn	43.81°N 93.14°W	0103	2 miles (3.2 km)	Three farm houses were damaged, and numerous sheds and outbuildings were also damaged.
EF0	S of Hill City	Aitkin	46.91°N 93.61°W	0105	1 mile (1.6 km)	Brief tornado captured by a mobile phone photograph in the Moose Willow State Wildlife Management Area with minimal damage.
EF3	W of Blooming Prairie	Steele	43.87°N 93.11°W	0110	8 miles (13 km)	One house was flattened and numerous others were damaged. Trees were also debarked. Debris also flew into a mobile home where one person was injured.
EF2	N of Blooming Prairie (1st tornado)	Steele, Dodge	43.88°N 93.07°W	0121	6 miles (9.7 km)	A manufactured home was destroyed, injuring a resident. Sheds, outbuildings and grain bins were also destroyed. It crossed paths with the 0110 UTC tornado.
EF0	N of Blooming Prairie (2nd tornado)	Steele, Dodge	43.97°N 93.00°W	0122	6 miles (9.7 km)	A shed was destroyed and numerous trees were damaged.
EF2	NE of Rush City	Chisago, Pine, Burnett (WI)	45.78°N 92.79°W	0144	8 miles (13 km)	A mobile home was destroyed and several houses were damaged. Extensive tree damage along the path. Two people were injured.
EF1	Rochester	Olmsted	44.01°N 92.48°W	0203	1.5 miles (2.4 km)	Major damage in the north side of town with 75 homes damaged and ten severely damaged or destroyed. Other buildings including a Menards store and other businesses around it were damaged. Several trees were blown down.
Iowa
EF0	NE of Lakota	Kossuth	43.37°N 94.15°W	2216	1 mile (1.6 km)	Tornado remained over open country.
EF0	NE of Ledyard	Kossuth	43.45°N 94.02°W	2224	1 mile (1.6 km)	Tornado spotted along Highway 169. No damage was reported.
EF0	E of Rake	Winnebago	43.48°N 93.86°W	2305	2 miles (3.2 km)	Tornado spotted by fire department with no damage.
Wisconsin
EF0	N of Grantsburg	Burnett	45.79°N 92.65°W	0205	unknown	A few trees were snapped.
EF1	W of Cream	Buffalo	44.32°N 91.78°W	0257	2 miles (3.2 km)	A few buildings were damaged and many trees were sheared or uprooted.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 06/17/10, NWS Twin Cities, NWS Twin Cities – Final list, NWS Duluth, NWS Grand Forks, NWS La Crosse, NCDC Storm Data

June 18 event

List of reported tornadoes – Friday, June 18, 2010
EF#	Location	County	Coord.	Time (UTC)	Path length	Comments/Damage
Iowa
EF0	NNE of St. Charles	Madison	41°19′N 93°48′W	2155	1 mile (1.6 km)	Brief tornado touchdown over an open field.[21]
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 06/18/10

Wadena supercell

Around 3:20 p.m. CDT (2120 UTC), a supercell thunderstorm developed over Stevens County, Minnesota and initially tracked north-northeastward before turning fully northeast. Once over Otter Tail County, the storm intensified and a brief EF1 tornado touched down around 4:48 pm CDT (2248 UTC) roughly 12 mi (19 km) south of Bluffton.[19] The rear-flank downdraft of the storm quickly obscured the tornado from view; however, it was later determined the tornado was on the ground for 1.5 mi (2.4 km), uprooting small trees and snapping limbs of larger ones.[22] At 4:56 pm CDT (2256 UTC), a tornado warning was issued for portions of Becker, Clearwater, Hubbard, Otter Tail and Wadena Counties.[23] Only two minutes after the warning was issued, a new tornado touched down about 3 mi (4.8 km) southwest of the city of Wadena.[19] Within three minutes of forming, the multiple vortex tornado rapidly intensified, reaching EF4 intensity with winds estimated at 170 mph (270 km/h). Before crossing the Otter Tail-Wadena County border, the storm's width had reached 1.1 mi (1.8 km).[24] The tornado then struck the western side of Wadena, causing widespread severe damage. Two houses were blown away from their foundations and many other houses and businesses were destroyed by this large wedge tornado. Many other structures were damaged to lesser degrees as well. Wadena-Deer Creek High School lost large sections of its roof and suffered extensive damage to its interior. A bus garage and an apartment complex were also damaged and school buses were thrown into the air. Trees were also debarked and snapped throughout the town. Cars were tossed by the tornado and headstones were toppled at a cemetery in Wadena. About 20 people were injured. Damage from the tornado reached $32 million, making it the most destructive of the outbreak.[25] [26] In light of the damage in the city, a tornado emergency was declared for Sebeka and Nimrod; however, substantial damage never took place in these areas.[23] Continuing northeastward, the tornado gradually weakened before dissipating at 5:16 pm CDT (2316 UTC), ending its 10 mi (16 km) track.[26] Around 5:30 pm CDT (2230 UTC), a third tornado, rated EF0, touched down within the supercell, this time roughly 1.5 mi (2.4 km) south-southwest of Nimrod. Over the following 18 minutes, this storm made several touchdowns along a 14.8 mi (23.8 km) track that continued into Cass County.[19] Damage from this tornado was largely limited to broken tree limbs.[27] Continuing northeast, the supercell eventually dissipated over Cass County around 6:30 pm CDT (2330 UTC).[19]

Canadian Prairies flooding

North of the tornadic supercells, heavy rain affected areas of the southern Canadian Prairies where at least 4 to 6 in (100 to 150 mm) of rain fell across southern Alberta and Saskatchewan on June 16 – 17 causing widespread flooding. A state of emergency was declared at the Blood Tribe Indian Reserve where people were stranded in homes due to flood waters.[28] Nine municipal governments in Alberta also declared state of emergencies due to the flooding as did some areas of southern Saskatchewan. Portions of the Trans-Canada Highway were closed for 3 km (1.9 mi) due to flooding along the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta on June 18 and remained shut down until June 26.[29] At times, 30,000 to 40,000 acres (12,000 to 16,000 ha) of land around the highway was submerged by flood waters.[30] Other roads and bridges were flooded and in some cases washed away. The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park was also left inaccessible.[29] In and around Medicine Hat, Alberta, most residents were forced to evacuate as water reached depths of 2 ft (0.61 m). Agricultural areas sustained considerable losses throughout the region as entire harvests were lost to the floods and much of the growing season had past leaving no time to re-plant crops.[31] Throughout Alberta, losses reached C$69 million ($70.3 million), including C$54 million ($55 million) in Medicine Hat alone. A total of 340 homes were affected by the floods, 11 of which had to be condemned. Additionally, 490 ft (150 m) of the Trans-Canada Highway had been washed out.[30][32]

Due to the prolonged shut down of the Trans-Canada Highway, many businesses along the road experienced hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost profits. Some stores reported a 95 percent decrease in income, roughly C$4,000 daily.[30] On June 25, some residents in Medicine Hat were given C$3,000 in aid from the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program. In the weeks after the disaster, reconstruction of roadways and bridges washed out by the floods began. Engineers estimated that it would take four to five weeks to repair the Trans-Canada Highway.[32]

June 18 Midwest derechos

A NWS enhanced radar image of the two derechos in the Midwest on the night of June 18th, 2010.

Following the prolific tornado outbreak, a mesoscale convective system developed across eastern Nebraska in the Omaha area during the morning hours of June 18. It gradually intensified before moving into the Des Moines area near midday.[33] The bow echo intensified into an intense progressive derecho over eastern Iowa and propagated eastward into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin that afternoon. Extensive damage was reported from the derecho, including in the Chicago metropolitan area as the derecho reached that region shortly before 4:00 pm CDT (2100 UTC).[34] Nearly 300,000 customers lost power and windows were blown out of high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago.[35] Some counties utilized warning sirens due to the derecho's extreme winds, despite the fact there was no tornado.[36]

The derecho continued eastward, maintaining its strength over southern Lower Michigan and northern Indiana in the early evening hours. Winds as high as 90 mph (150 km/h) were reported in southwest Michigan with widespread damage over the region).[34] The storm knocked out power to nearly 300,000 customers of Commonwealth Edison in the Chicago area. Windows were blown out of several high rises in downtown Chicago, including the tallest building, the Willis Tower. [37] More than 100,000 lost power in the immediate Detroit region including in Oakland and Wayne Counties,[38] over 75,000 in the Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo regions [39] and over 50,000 in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.[40] The derecho finally weakened and rapidly dissipated as it reached Lake Erie.

During the evening hours of June 18, a second, weaker derecho formed over Iowa and began following a path similar to the first one, and by 8:45 pm CDT (0145 UTC) the storm was moving across Illinois causing damage in areas already affected by the initial derecho event before weakening and dissipating.[34] One fatality was reported from the event in northern Indiana and in Dexter, Michigan.[34] This storm also produced dangerous lightning with two homes hit by lightning in Dexter and Scio Twp in Michigan.

See also

• Tornadoes of 2010

References

1. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/mpx/2010torlist.pdf
2. John Chris Broyles and Jonathan M. Garner (June 16, 2010). "Jun 16, 2010 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
3. http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2010/day1otlk_20100617_1200.html
4. http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0333.html
5. http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=853123&hpt=T2
6. http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=853968
7. http://www.kttc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12669739
8. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/?n=10june17
9. http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk_1300.html
10. "South Dakota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
11. "South Dakota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
12. "South Dakota Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
13. "South Dakota Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
14. "South Dakota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
15. "South Dakota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
16. "South Dakota Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
17. "Montana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
18. "North Dakota Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
19. "Tornadoes: June 17, 2010 Tornado Outbreak Summary". National Weather Service office in Duluth, Minnesota. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. June 18, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
20. "North Dakota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
21. "Iowa Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
22. "Minnesota Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
23. "Severe Weather Statement: Tornado Warning". National Weather Service Office in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Iowa Environmental Mesonet National Weather Service. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
24. "Minnesota Event Report: EF4 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
25. "$35.5M in public damage from Minn. June tornadoes". Minnesota Public Radio. Associated Press. July 9, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
26. "Minnesota Event Report: EF4 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
27. "Minnesota Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
28. Andree Lau (June 17, 2010). "Rain saturates southern Alberta". CBC News. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
29. Unattributed (June 18, 2010). "Floods close Trans-Canada at Sask.-Alta. border". CBC News. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
30. Katie Schneider (June 26, 2010). "Business dries up after flood". Calgary Sun. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
31. Unattributed (June 21, 2010). "Flood damage 'extensive' in southern Saskatchewan". CTV Edmonton. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
32. Joe Fries (June 25, 2010). "Alberta flood tab set at $66 million". Calgary Herald. Postmark News. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
33. http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1005.html
34. "20100618's Storm Report (1200 UTC − 1159 UTC)". SPC Storm Reports. Noaa.gov. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
35. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
36. "Storm Sirens Now Sound When Winds Hit 70MPH". KCVI-News. 18 June 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
37. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
38. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/washtenaw_county/at-least-1-dead-after-powerful-storms-rip-through-metro-detroit
39. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-22. Retrieved 2010-06-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)