Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
941 NOUS43 KDLH 092036 PNSDLH MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-100845- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 336 PM CDT Fri Aug 9 2024 ...NWS Damage Survey for 06/12/2024 Tornado Event... .Update #2... Updated to adjust the end point of the path of the Wolford to Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake to Prescott Lake Tornado, add a new tornado from Hammal Lake to Hanging Kettle Lake to Ripple Lake, add a new tornado northeast of Isabella within the Superior National Forest, and clarify the tornado narratives. .Overview... Numerous severe thunderstorms moved across north-central and northeast Minnesota on the evening of Wednesday, June 12, 2024, producing large hail to the size of baseballs, isolated thunderstorm wind damage, and several tornadoes. Two distinct supercellular storms produced five tornadoes (rated EF-0 and EF-2) across portions of Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Carlton counties between roughly 6:15 PM and 7:30 PM. The supercell that tracked through Crow Wing and Aitkin County produced four separate tornadoes, first on/near Upper Whitefish Lake across to Clamshell Lake, or west of Crosslake, where a wide, sharp path of damage was found. This tornado dissipated, with a second tornado forming south of Wolford, west of Rabbit Lake (north of Crosby). This second tornado appeared to have a mainly continuous path of damage from near Wolford to Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake to Prescott Lake. There may have been a break in this tornado as it traveled across the Crow Wing State Forest, but a combination of storm chaser and spotter video as well as ground surveys seemed to indicate a mainly consistent path of damage. A third tornado near the northern portion of Hammal Lake and continued east-southeast through Hanging Kettle Lake and Ripple Lake, where it destroyed a three-season cabin and boat house, toppled an 85 foot tall antenna tower, and uprooted and snapped numerous trees. This supercell then later produced a weak, wispy tornado with no known damage near Glen, MN, with the particular length of this tornado unknown due to Limited access in this area. While this supercell was ongoing, a Separate supercell briefly produced a weak tornado in northwest Carlton County where mainly minor tree damage (large branches, a few trees snapped) was observed north of Wright, MN. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and NWS Duluth had a Tornado Warning in effect for these storms for the duration of time they produced tornadoes. Another supercell thunderstorm tracked across northeast St. Louis, northern Lake, and extreme southern Cook counties. NWS Duluth has not received reports of damage from that storm as of this afternoon and a survey team did not find damage along the North Shore on Thursday. We continue to look for information about this storm and any potential hail or wind damage it may have produced. This information is preliminary in nature and will likely be revised as we continue to review additional reports, images, and videos. NWS Duluth sincerely appreciates the coordination with our state and local partners including Emergency Management and Sheriff Departments at Carlton, Aitkin, and Crow Wing Counties as well as the Minnesota State Patrol. We also sincerely appreciate the images and video shared with us by our local media partners. The listing below is ordered by storm and then by time of the tornadoes. ...Tornadic Supercell #1... This storm developed around 3:45 PM CDT in northwest Minnesota in southeast Norman County, west of Wabun. The storm tracked generally east-southeastward and dissipated around 10 PM CDT in southeast Douglas County, WI, near Wascott after traveling a distance of approximately 230 miles. .Whitefish Lake/Clamshell Lake/West of Crosslake Tornado... Rating: EF-2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.2 miles Path Width /maximum/: 700.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 06:18 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NE Jenkins / Crow Wing County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 46.6901 / -94.2572 End Date: 06/12/2024 End Time: 06:23 PM CDT End Location: 3 N Breezy Point / Crow Wing County / MN End Lat/Lon: 46.6519 / -94.2204 Survey Summary: Tornado developed over Upper Whitefish Lake (no tornadic damage found or reported on the northwestern shore indicating the tornado touched down on the lake before moving onshore) and traveled southeast towards Pelican Lake. Extensive damage to private residences and forest along Old Whiskey Road and Rutger Rd (referred to by locals as Tip Top Point) and across Bertha and Clamshell Lake towards the far eastern reach of Whitefish Golf Clubs holes. Damage path was the widest near Old Whiskey and Rutger Road, around 700 yards across, with tree damage even identified on the island to the north of Old Whiskey Road. Over 80% of trees were uprooted or snapped near the base, and numerous homes showed minor to major roof damage. The worst of the roof damage was several homes which had over 50% of the roof deck uplifted and removed. Homeowners also reported a nearly hour-long storm surge of 1 to 2 feet from Upper Whitefish Lake. Minnesota State Patrol helicopter footage shows some scattered tornadic tree damage south of County Road 16 near Clear Lake. No other damage has been found or reported beyond that point. No fatalities or injuries reported. .Wolford to Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake to Prescott Lake Tornado... Rating: EF-2 Estimated Peak Wind: 115 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.2 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 06:45 PM CDT Start Location: 1 W Wolford / Crow Wing County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 46.5473 / -93.9912 End Date: 06/12/2024 End Time: 07:04 PM CDT End Location: 5 E Deerwood / Aitkin County / MN End Lat/Lon: 46.4578 / -93.7801 Survey Summary: A tornado redeveloped near Wolford, from the same storm that produced the first tornado near Crosslake. Initial damage located along County Road 30, south of County Highway 11/Mississippi River, mostly trees snapped and uprooted. Tornado continued east- southeast across Rabbit Lake just north of Cuyuna and then towards Highway 210. Damage along the western shore of Rabbit Lake affected private residences with a RV flipped over, roof covering material partially removed, and numerous trees snapped which lead to secondary home damage, including several collapsed out- buildings and garages. The tornado crossed Highway 210 near mile marker 145, as evidenced by both tree damage and storm chaser footage. It then took a southeastward path across portions of western Cedar Lake, producing extensive tree damage and pockets of residential property damage to roofs and garages, including a fish house that was picked up and thrown nearly 100 yards. This is the area of low-end EF-2 damage. The tornado path then continued southeast, crossing 456th Place, 320th Street, and, finally, 310th Street before lifting. This last section of the tornado path after Cedar Lake shows damage to numerous trees via satellite imagery before the visible damage path ends just to the southwest of the intersection of 310th Street and Pioneer Avenue. No fatalities or injuries were reported. .Hammal Lake to Hanging Kettle Lake to Ripple Lake Tornado... Rating: EF-1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 4.7 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 07:03 PM CDT Start Location: 3 SSW Aitkin / Aitkin County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 46.4904 / -93.7457 End Date: 06/12/2024 End Time: 07:10 PM CDT End Location: 4 NW Glory / Aitkin County / MN End Lat/Lon: 46.4595 / -93.6575 Survey Summary: Another tornado developed on the northern portion of Hammal lake, where localized pockets of extensive tree damage were located, and one three-season cabin and boat house were completely destroyed and partially thrown into the water. The tornado continued east- southeast, uprooting and snapping several mature tree trunks as it crossed Highway 169 and Hanging Kettle Lake. The tornado then took a east-southeastward path through Ripple Lake, uprooting trees and knocking over an 85 foot tall antenna tower before the tornado ended over southeastern Ripple Lake. No fatalities or injuries were reported. .Tornado South of Glen... Rating: EF-0 Estimated Peak Wind: 65 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.6 miles Path Width /maximum/: 20.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 07:25 PM CDT Start Location: 1 SSW Glen / Aitkin County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 46.4001 / -93.5293 End Date: 06/12/2024 End Time: 07:29 PM CDT End Location: 2 SSE Glen / Aitkin County / MN End Lat/Lon: 46.3871 / -93.5016 Survey Summary: A tornado developed near Glen, MN. Storm chaser and spotter video depict a wispy tornado with no debris visible. Due to the rural and forested nature of this damage and no reports of damage, a ground survey has not been completed. This tornado rating and details may be updated in the future as additional aerial imagery becomes available. ...Tornadic Supercell #2... This storm developed around 6 PM between Hill City and McGregor in Aitkin County, MN. The storm moved generally east-southeastward and dissipated near Solon Springs in Douglas County, WI after traveling about 90 miles. .Wright/Cromwell Tornado... Rating: EF-0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 7.8 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 06:42 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NW Wright / Carlton County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 46.7235 / -93.0607 End Date: 06/14/2024 End Time: 06:54 PM CDT End Location: 2 W Cromwell / Carlton County / MN End Lat/Lon: 46.6778 / -92.9159 Survey Summary: Tornado developed on or near the Aitkin/Carlton County line and traveled southeast towards Highway 210 between Wright and Cromwell. Minor tree damage was noted on West Road near the start of the tornado path, with a broad area of large branches down and a few trees snapped towards the top. The tornado then traveled across a mainly marsh/bog landscape, crossing Center Road where power lines were damaged and widespread tree damage was noted along a 50 yard stretch of road. The tornado track continued on a southeast to east-southeast path, with the last signs of damage near to just south of Highway 210 near Woodbury Lake where a few clusters of tree damage were noted. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and property damage was very limited, with only a handful of homes/buildings impacted. ...Tornadic Supercell #3... This storm was the earliest supercell of the severe storm event, initially developing in Koochiching into far northern Saint Louis County where it split. The right split headed for Ely, MN and continued on a southeast path towards Tofte. The supercell was rotating throughout its lifetime, with a report of a funnel cloud when the storm was east of Ely. The storm briefly weakened for a time, then strengthened and produced strong mid-level rotation northeast of Isabella. .Tanner Lake Tornado... Rating: EF-1 Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mph Path Length /statute/: 4.2 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/12/2024 Start Time: 06:08 PM CDT Start Location: 5 E Isabella / Lake County / MN Start Lat/Lon: 47.6136 / -91.2513 End Date: 06/12/2024 End Time: 06:15 PM CDT End Location: 5 SSW Clear Lake / Lake County / MN End Lat/Lon: 47.5746 / -91.1824 Survey Summary: Tornado damage initially appeared on the northeast shore of Tanner Lake (east of Dumbbell Lake), crossing Wanless Road (Forest Road 172) on a southeastward track. Satellite imagery depicts sporadic tree damage along the path, with a particularly impressive swath of trees that were uprooted or snapped east of East General Grade Road (Forest Road 362) measuring approximately 150 yards in width and a quarter mile in length. Damage continues to be evident for another mile or so before no additional discernible damage is evident. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Tornado rating was determined based on satellite imagery, and NWS Duluth is coordinating to learn more about any air or ground surveyed damage from our partners at the Superior National Forest which may result in a future revision in the tornado rating. && 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 events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ JJM/Rothstein