Bellechester, MN Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Bellechester is about the same as Minnesota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Bellechester is about the same as Minnesota average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #530
| Bellechester, MN | 0.00 |
| Minnesota | 0.01 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Bellechester, MN | 0.0000 |
| Minnesota | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #410
| Bellechester, MN | 145.10 |
| Minnesota | 135.90 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,352 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Bellechester, MN were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 21 | Cold: | 32 | Dense Fog: | 11 | Drought: | 16 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 195 | Hail: | 1,292 | Heat: | 23 | Heavy Snow: | 71 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 15 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 43 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,324 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 133 | Winter Weather: | 7 |
| Other: | 168 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Bellechester, MN.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Bellechester, MN.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Bellechester, MN.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 57 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Bellechester, MN.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 9.4 | 1964-08-28 | 2 | 44°17'N / 92°21'W | 44°20'N / 92°20'W | 2.70 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabasha |
| 13.1 | 1981-04-29 | 2 | 44°12'N / 92°39'W | 44°12'N / 92°36'W | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted | ||
| 20.6 | 1987-07-27 | 3 | 44°34'N / 92°43'W | 44°28'N / 93°02'W | 20.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Goodhue |
| 24.0 | 1979-10-03 | 2 | 44°43'N / 92°27'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 26.3 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°30'N / 93°02'W | 44°31'N / 92°59'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 4.0M | 0 | Goodhue |
| Brief Description: The Northfield tornado (which originated in Rice County) dissipated on the south side of Lake Byllesby, but not before destroying several sheds and causing minor damage to 12 homes. | |||||||||||
| 27.4 | 1964-04-13 | 2 | 43°57'N / 92°28'W | 44°00'N / 92°28'W | 3.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Olmsted |
| 27.8 | 1958-05-24 | 3 | 44°51'N / 92°32'W | 44°37'N / 92°00'W | 30.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce |
| 28.1 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°05'W | 44°30'N / 93°02'W | 3.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.0M | 0 | Dakota |
| Brief Description: The Northfield tornado (which originated in Rice County) crossed Highway 19 into extreme southeastern Dakota County, then went into Goodhue County. Five homes sustained major damage, including one with its roof completely removed. 12 other homes received minor damage. Several motorists barely made it into nearby homes before the tornado struck. | |||||||||||
| 28.1 | 1962-09-16 | 4 | 43°58'N / 92°27'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 34 | 250K | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 28.8 | 2010-07-14 | 2 | 44°46'N / 92°34'W | 44°48'N / 92°16'W | 15.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Several barns and sheds were destroyed, and structural damage was noted at some homes. Many trees were broken or snapped. This tornado was accompanied by strong rear flank downdraft winds, which also knocked down trees and damaged some sheds. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The morning of Wednesday July 14th had a complex of severe thunderstorms moving across eastern North Dakota, into portions of west-central and central Minnesota. This complex moved eastward during the morning, and intensified across portions of east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Several waves of severe thunderstorms developed across west-central Wisconsin and began to reform westward into Minnesota by the early afternoon. These severe storms that reformed in east-central Minnesota, quickly moved into west-central Wisconsin by the mid afternoon and caused tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. In addition to the winds and hail, several inches of rainfall caused flooding in Polk, Barron, St Croix and Rusk Counties. | |||||||||||
| 29.2 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 44°29'N / 93°12'W | 44°35'N / 92°55'W | 15.40 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dakota |
| 29.6 | 1979-07-03 | 2 | 43°57'N / 92°24'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 29.8 | 1951-09-12 | 3 | 44°38'N / 92°05'W | 44°41'N / 92°02'W | 3.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pepin |
| 30.0 | 1967-04-30 | 2 | 43°56'N / 92°21'W | 44°00'N / 92°14'W | 6.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Olmsted |
| 30.3 | 2010-07-14 | 2 | 44°45'N / 92°21'W | 44°49'N / 92°15'W | 6.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Several sheds and outbuildings were destroyed, as were a couple of barns. Hundreds of trees were snapped. The tornado was accompanied by strong rear flank downdraft winds that also knocked down numerous trees. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The morning of Wednesday July 14th had a complex of severe thunderstorms moving across eastern North Dakota, into portions of west-central and central Minnesota. This complex moved eastward during the morning, and intensified across portions of east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Several waves of severe thunderstorms developed across west-central Wisconsin and began to reform westward into Minnesota by the early afternoon. These severe storms that reformed in east-central Minnesota, quickly moved into west-central Wisconsin by the mid afternoon and caused tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. In addition to the winds and hail, several inches of rainfall caused flooding in Polk, Barron, St Croix and Rusk Counties. | |||||||||||
| 31.0 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°10'W | 44°28'N / 93°05'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 9.0M | 0 | Rice |
| Brief Description: NWS damage survey rated the tornado an F2. Tornado touched down briefly in downtown Northfield, flipping over a semi trailer truck and lifting the roof off of one business. Three-fourths mile later, it touched down again on the east side of Northfield, and then remained on the ground for 11 miles. After being in Rice County for 5 miles, it crossed Highway 19 into Dakota County and then dissipated in Goodhue County 4 miles west of Cannon Falls, for a total of 12 miles. Numerous rear flank downdraft gusts estimated at 90 mph caused damage alongside the southern periphery of tornado track. One man sustained minor injuries when he was blown from a tractor, but did not require hospitalization. A total of 8 homes received major damage, 22 more had minor damage, and a turkey processing plant was destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 31.0 | 1967-07-22 | 2 | 44°49'N / 92°23'W | 44°46'N / 92°12'W | 9.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Pierce |
| 31.1 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 3.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabasha |
| 31.5 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 43°58'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 14.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 32.0 | 1987-07-27 | 3 | 44°28'N / 93°02'W | 44°26'N / 93°16'W | 10.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Rice |
| 32.8 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 17.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Winona |
| 32.9 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 44°20'N / 91°49'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 33.3 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 44°50'N / 92°40'W | 44°51'N / 92°39'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pierce | ||
| 33.7 | 1962-05-22 | 2 | 43°53'N / 92°29'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 34.7 | 1982-05-17 | 3 | 44°06'N / 93°13'W | 44°12'N / 93°04'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Steele |
| 35.4 | 1962-09-16 | 2 | 43°51'N / 92°25'W | 43°53'N / 92°21'W | 3.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Olmsted |
| 35.5 | 1981-06-14 | 2 | 44°51'N / 92°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 35.5 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°14'W | 44°29'N / 93°12'W | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Rice | ||
| 36.3 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 43°51'N / 92°10'W | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 10.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted |
| 36.3 | 1997-06-15 | 2 | 44°46'N / 92°02'W | 44°46'N / 92°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Dunn |
| Brief Description: Three silos, machine shed, barn and several trees damaged or destroyed. Pieces of shed found 1 mile away. Numerous trees and power lines down. | |||||||||||
| 36.9 | 1998-03-29 | 2 | 44°33'N / 93°15'W | 44°33'N / 93°11'W | 3.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Dakota |
| 37.7 | 1958-05-24 | 3 | 44°58'N / 92°46'W | 44°51'N / 92°32'W | 13.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | St. Croix |
| 37.8 | 1954-06-25 | 2 | 44°50'N / 92°55'W | 44°52'N / 92°51'W | 2.70 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Washington |
| 38.0 | 1998-05-15 | 3 | 44°36'N / 91°50'W | 44°40'N / 91°50'W | 5.00 Miles | 66 Yards | 0 | 6 | 100K | 0 | Pepin |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down in northern Buffalo County, and continued on ground for 9 miles into eastern Pepin County. Two homes were destroyed in Pepin County. House collapse injured 6 family members. Trailer home also damaged. Tornado rated F3 for a brief time east of Durand, however most of its damage track rated F1. | |||||||||||
| 39.4 | 1958-06-04 | 5 | 44°54'N / 92°20'W | 44°55'N / 92°09'W | 8.60 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 20 | 25.0M | 0 | St. Croix |
| 39.4 | 1982-09-12 | 2 | 44°46'N / 91°56'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dunn | |
| 41.3 | 1999-07-08 | 2 | 44°00'N / 91°54'W | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 3.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.0M | 60K | Winona |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down just northwest of Lewiston (Winona County), then moved into the middle of town and intensified. Numerous homes along Main Street had extensive damage with broken windows, damaged roofs and downed trees. One home had the entire roof taken off, while at least 4 cars were demolished from debris landing on them. A farm southeast of town had every building destroyed, except the house. Of the 1,300 population in Lewiston, only two people sustained minor injuries. Elsewhere across southeast Minnesota, spotters and law enforcement officials reported hail up to 2 inches in diameter along with trees and power lines knocked down. | |||||||||||
| 42.1 | 1971-09-28 | 2 | 44°49'N / 92°01'W | 44°52'N / 91°55'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dunn |
| 42.4 | 1982-05-17 | 3 | 43°51'N / 93°10'W | 44°06'N / 93°10'W | 16.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Steele |
| 42.5 | 1951-09-12 | 3 | 44°41'N / 92°02'W | 44°55'N / 91°45'W | 21.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dunn |
| 43.1 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 43°53'N / 93°05'W | 43°54'N / 93°03'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0K | Steele |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1998-03-29 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°26'W | 44°28'N / 93°20'W | 5.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20.0M | 0 | Rice |
| Brief Description: Four homes and 6 businesses severely damaged. Street department building damaged. 20 farms damaged or destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 44.6 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 44°36'N / 91°22'W | 36.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 44.7 | 1967-04-30 | 4 | 43°51'N / 93°14'W | 44°06'N / 93°13'W | 17.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Steele |
| 44.7 | 2010-06-17 | 3 | 43°51'N / 93°07'W | 43°54'N / 93°04'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Steele |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 45.0 | 1980-06-05 | 2 | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 43°53'N / 91°51'W | 5.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 45.4 | 1958-06-04 | 5 | 44°55'N / 92°09'W | 44°57'N / 91°55'W | 11.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 20 | 54 | 25.0M | 0 | Dunn |
| 45.6 | 1977-07-14 | 2 | 43°42'N / 92°16'W | 43°48'N / 92°08'W | 9.20 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 45.6 | 1958-10-09 | 2 | 45°01'N / 92°44'W | 45°01'N / 92°41'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | St. Croix | ||
| 45.7 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 44°51'N / 92°39'W | 45°13'N / 92°23'W | 28.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | St. Croix |
| 47.9 | 1981-06-14 | 3 | 44°49'N / 93°16'W | 44°53'N / 93°10'W | 6.20 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 23 | 25.0M | 0 | Hennepin |
| 48.7 | 1970-04-29 | 2 | 43°58'N / 93°33'W | 44°10'N / 93°15'W | 20.10 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Waseca |
| 48.9 | 1981-06-14 | 3 | 44°53'N / 93°10'W | 45°00'N / 93°02'W | 10.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 1 | 60 | 25.0M | 0 | Ramsey |
| 49.5 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 43°30'N / 92°23'W | 43°51'N / 92°10'W | 26.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 49.7 | 1998-05-30 | 2 | 44°53'N / 91°46'W | 44°50'N / 91°46'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 8 | 400K | 0 | Dunn |
| Brief Description: Two people severely injured during house collapse. Two homes destroyed. Several barns and sheds were also demolished. 6 people suffered minor injuries. One mobile home destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 49.8 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 43°30'N / 92°36'W | 43°48'N / 92°22'W | 23.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mower |
| 50.0 | 1967-04-30 | 2 | 43°59'N / 93°25'W | 44°07'N / 93°25'W | 9.20 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Waseca |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.