Fort Ransom, ND Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Fort Ransom is about the same as North Dakota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Fort Ransom is higher than North Dakota average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #180
| Fort Ransom, ND | 0.00 |
| North Dakota | 0.00 |
| 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
| Fort Ransom, ND | 0.0000 |
| North Dakota | 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, #82
| Fort Ransom, ND | 122.82 |
| North Dakota | 81.79 |
| 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 1,662 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Fort Ransom, ND 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: | 15 | Cold: | 9 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 0 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 125 | Hail: | 915 | Heat: | 1 | Heavy Snow: | 13 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 0 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 12 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 519 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 14 | Winter Weather: | 1 |
| Other: | 38 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Fort Ransom, ND.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Fort Ransom, ND.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Fort Ransom, ND.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 44 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Fort Ransom, ND.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 4.8 | 1999-08-15 | 2 | 46°34'N / 97°59'W | 46°31'N / 97°41'W | 20.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.2M | 0 | Ransom |
| Brief Description: Most of the damage from the tornado occurred roughly 3 miles northeast of Fort Ransom, just across the Sheyenne River. One farm had a wood barn and 2 large pole barns completely destroyed. At another nearby farm, another wood barn and a pole barn were destroyed, some debris deposited several hundred feet away. Numerous large trees were broken and a feeding car was thrown a half a mile away. Thousands of large trees surrounding the path of the tornado were snapped in two, many of these along the Sheyenne River Valley. | |||||||||||
| 10.5 | 1970-08-29 | 2 | 46°24'N / 97°53'W | 46°26'N / 97°40'W | 10.30 Miles | 10 Yards | 0 | 7 | 25K | 0 | Ransom |
| 10.6 | 1999-08-15 | 2 | 46°39'N / 98°11'W | 46°33'N / 98°04'W | 8.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | La Moure |
| Brief Description: The storm survey was completed by NWS Grand Forks. The tornado started in Barnes county 1.5 miles southwest of Litchville, moved across far northeast LaMoure county, and dissipated in Ransom county 6 miles north of Lisbon. The total path length was 20 miles. | |||||||||||
| 10.6 | 1957-08-12 | 2 | 46°24'N / 97°48'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ransom | |
| 18.0 | 1982-04-15 | 2 | 46°17'N / 97°44'W | 46°23'N / 97°37'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ransom |
| 19.0 | 1950-06-13 | 3 | 46°48'N / 97°55'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass | |
| 19.2 | 1974-05-20 | 3 | 46°32'N / 98°28'W | 46°41'N / 98°10'W | 17.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | La Moure |
| 24.2 | 1975-06-19 | 2 | 46°14'N / 97°39'W | 0.30 Mile | 7 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sargent | |
| 24.4 | 2004-07-18 | 4 | 46°47'N / 98°23'W | 46°36'N / 98°23'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.7M | 100K | Barnes |
| Brief Description: The tornado tracked south for about 4 miles along 97th avenue southeast, then turned to the southeast and tracked about 6 more miles before it crossed into LaMoure county about 2 miles north-northwest of Marion. One abandoned farmstead 10 miles west-northwest of Litchville was nearly swept clean of its buildings. Eight to nine buildings and 5 to 6 metal grain bins were swept away. At an occupied farmstead about 9 miles west of Litchville, the most damage was reported. The family was out baling hay at the time and were not hurt. The equipment they used to bale hay (three tractors and a baler) were the only things left unscathed by the tornado. Two houses, 5 outbuildings, a cattle barn, and miscellaneous farm equipment were all leveled. Machinery and debris were scattered across the yard and in the nearby pond and fields. A new pickup truck was demolished and sheet metal and metal support beams were wrapped around trees and vehicles. About 35 cows were killed, 20 grain bins were demolished, and a semi truck was overturned. The last F4 tornado in eastern North Dakota occurred on June 6, 1999, near Mountain, ND. | |||||||||||
| 26.1 | 1958-09-06 | 3 | 46°54'N / 98°00'W | 2.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Barnes | |
| 28.2 | 2007-07-15 | 2 | 46°30'N / 97°22'W | 46°27'N / 97°19'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 1.0M | Ransom |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado cut a large gap in mature hardwood trees near the Sheyenne River and snapped several wooden power poles. Several sections of a large irrigation system were also tipped over. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph. Some crops were damaged in Owego Township. EPISODE NARRATIVE: At 3 pm CST on the 15th, a stationary front was located from near Minot (ND) to Jamestown (ND) to near Sisseton (SD). South of the front, mid afternoon temperatures ranged in the mid 80s to lower 90s. To the north of the front, a meso-high had formed, with much cooler and drier air around it. The temperature across the boundary ranged from 89F at Minot, to 73F at Devils Lake, to 64F at Crookston. The upper air pattern had a western ridge and an eastern trough, putting the northern plains in northwest flow aloft. A strengthening upper jet also moved toward eastern North Dakota, giving this system good surface and upper level support. A supercell thunderstorm developed over southern Steele County around 530 pm CST and tracked across western Cass County and into eastern Ransom County before weakening after 7 pm CST. Then, another supercell thunderstorm formed over northern Steele County around 725 pm CST. This storm tracked just west of the path of the first storm, again mainly hitting central Steele County, western Cass County, and eastern Ransom County, before weakening around 915 pm CST. Both thunderstorms tracked south-southeast at speeds between 40 and 50 mph and spawned multiple tornadoes which were embedded within the overall downburst wind and hail pattern. The significant downburst wind and wind driven hail was seen in two partially overlapping paths, with each path from 5 to 7 miles wide and between 60 and 80 miles long (this damage path showed up clearly on satellite images). The strength of these winds is believed to have exceeded 80 mph with speeds over 100 mph in some localized areas. Hail sizes ranged from penny to hen egg sized. Most areas received considerable hail damage at the same time as the strong winds. Law enforcement officials and witnesses stated that the hail often persisted for longer than 5 minutes and completely covered the ground. The hail damaged roofs, windows, and siding in many homes along the damage path. Stripped and decimated corn, bean, and wheat fields were typical along the entire storm path too. The ND Farm Service Administration estimated losses occurred on over 700,000 acres in five counties. Total crop losses may exceed $250 million, with other property losses from $15 to $20 million. Cass and Steele Counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration. | |||||||||||
| 28.8 | 2007-07-15 | 2 | 46°55'N / 97°36'W | 46°49'N / 97°34'W | 8.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0K | Cass |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado plowed through wooden power poles and viciously ripped up mature trees over its damage path. The tornado also damaged a sturdy pole shed, where the sidewall was caved in and the roof and rafters were torn off. It tore the roof off and collapsed an older barn, then lifted and threw a well-built two car garage from its slab foundation. The tornado crumpled one steel, four footing, high voltage power tower. In combination with extreme downburst winds, the collapse of this first tower helped initiate the collapse of dozens more of these power towers. Peak winds were estimated at 130 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: At 3 pm CST on the 15th, a stationary front was located from near Minot (ND) to Jamestown (ND) to near Sisseton (SD). South of the front, mid afternoon temperatures ranged in the mid 80s to lower 90s. To the north of the front, a meso-high had formed, with much cooler and drier air around it. The temperature across the boundary ranged from 89F at Minot, to 73F at Devils Lake, to 64F at Crookston. The upper air pattern had a western ridge and an eastern trough, putting the northern plains in northwest flow aloft. A strengthening upper jet also moved toward eastern North Dakota, giving this system good surface and upper level support. A supercell thunderstorm developed over southern Steele County around 530 pm CST and tracked across western Cass County and into eastern Ransom County before weakening after 7 pm CST. Then, another supercell thunderstorm formed over northern Steele County around 725 pm CST. This storm tracked just west of the path of the first storm, again mainly hitting central Steele County, western Cass County, and eastern Ransom County, before weakening around 915 pm CST. Both thunderstorms tracked south-southeast at speeds between 40 and 50 mph and spawned multiple tornadoes which were embedded within the overall downburst wind and hail pattern. The significant downburst wind and wind driven hail was seen in two partially overlapping paths, with each path from 5 to 7 miles wide and between 60 and 80 miles long (this damage path showed up clearly on satellite images). The strength of these winds is believed to have exceeded 80 mph with speeds over 100 mph in some localized areas. Hail sizes ranged from penny to hen egg sized. Most areas received considerable hail damage at the same time as the strong winds. Law enforcement officials and witnesses stated that the hail often persisted for longer than 5 minutes and completely covered the ground. The hail damaged roofs, windows, and siding in many homes along the damage path. Stripped and decimated corn, bean, and wheat fields were typical along the entire storm path too. The ND Farm Service Administration estimated losses occurred on over 700,000 acres in five counties. Total crop losses may exceed $250 million, with other property losses from $15 to $20 million. Cass and Steele Counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration. | |||||||||||
| 29.9 | 2007-07-15 | 2 | 46°50'N / 97°27'W | 46°48'N / 97°29'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0.3M | 0K | Cass |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado toppled a barn, severely injuring a horse. It tumbled farm outbuildings and toppled one high voltage power tower. The tower was made of steel and had four footings. Peak winds were estimated at 125 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: At 3 pm CST on the 15th, a stationary front was located from near Minot (ND) to Jamestown (ND) to near Sisseton (SD). South of the front, mid afternoon temperatures ranged in the mid 80s to lower 90s. To the north of the front, a meso-high had formed, with much cooler and drier air around it. The temperature across the boundary ranged from 89F at Minot, to 73F at Devils Lake, to 64F at Crookston. The upper air pattern had a western ridge and an eastern trough, putting the northern plains in northwest flow aloft. A strengthening upper jet also moved toward eastern North Dakota, giving this system good surface and upper level support. A supercell thunderstorm developed over southern Steele County around 530 pm CST and tracked across western Cass County and into eastern Ransom County before weakening after 7 pm CST. Then, another supercell thunderstorm formed over northern Steele County around 725 pm CST. This storm tracked just west of the path of the first storm, again mainly hitting central Steele County, western Cass County, and eastern Ransom County, before weakening around 915 pm CST. Both thunderstorms tracked south-southeast at speeds between 40 and 50 mph and spawned multiple tornadoes which were embedded within the overall downburst wind and hail pattern. The significant downburst wind and wind driven hail was seen in two partially overlapping paths, with each path from 5 to 7 miles wide and between 60 and 80 miles long (this damage path showed up clearly on satellite images). The strength of these winds is believed to have exceeded 80 mph with speeds over 100 mph in some localized areas. Hail sizes ranged from penny to hen egg sized. Most areas received considerable hail damage at the same time as the strong winds. Law enforcement officials and witnesses stated that the hail often persisted for longer than 5 minutes and completely covered the ground. The hail damaged roofs, windows, and siding in many homes along the damage path. Stripped and decimated corn, bean, and wheat fields were typical along the entire storm path too. The ND Farm Service Administration estimated losses occurred on over 700,000 acres in five counties. Total crop losses may exceed $250 million, with other property losses from $15 to $20 million. Cass and Steele Counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration. | |||||||||||
| 30.4 | 1957-06-20 | 2 | 46°06'N / 98°06'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Dickey | |
| 31.3 | 1958-07-13 | 2 | 46°06'N / 97°42'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sargent | |||
| 32.8 | 1976-08-19 | 2 | 46°47'N / 97°21'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Cass | |
| 32.9 | 2004-07-18 | 2 | 46°59'N / 97°40'W | 46°56'N / 97°37'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Cass |
| Brief Description: The tornado knocked down high voltage power lines and three metal towers north of Tower City. Several farm buildings were also damaged northeast of Tower City. | |||||||||||
| 33.0 | 1955-08-03 | 2 | 47°00'N / 98°00'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Barnes | |
| 33.0 | 1965-06-26 | 2 | 47°00'N / 98°00'W | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Barnes | |||
| 34.6 | 1973-07-01 | 3 | 46°02'N / 97°47'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sargent | |||
| 34.7 | 1953-05-30 | 2 | 46°40'N / 98°41'W | 46°42'N / 98°34'W | 5.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stutsman |
| 36.5 | 1976-06-11 | 2 | 46°38'N / 98°41'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stutsman | |||
| 37.8 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 46°42'N / 97°12'W | 46°47'N / 97°12'W | 5.70 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass |
| 38.3 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 46°47'N / 97°12'W | 46°53'N / 97°19'W | 8.50 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass |
| 39.7 | 1974-08-19 | 2 | 46°22'N / 98°44'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | La Moure | |||
| 39.7 | 1960-08-02 | 2 | 46°18'N / 98°42'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dickey | |||
| 40.0 | 1973-06-15 | 3 | 46°52'N / 97°15'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass | |||
| 40.9 | 2005-06-29 | 2 | 45°57'N / 97°37'W | 46°02'N / 97°30'W | 8.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sargent |
| Brief Description: Numerous trees were blown down or uprooted along the damage path. A roof was torn off a pole barn in Havana. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. | |||||||||||
| 41.0 | 1964-06-08 | 2 | 46°16'N / 97°08'W | 46°39'N / 97°01'W | 26.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland |
| 43.2 | 1959-06-10 | 2 | 46°54'N / 97°12'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Cass | |||
| 44.1 | 1953-05-29 | 2 | 46°12'N / 97°08'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Richland | |||
| 44.5 | 1965-09-04 | 2 | 47°10'N / 98°00'W | 0.50 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Barnes | |
| 45.0 | 1952-07-24 | 2 | 47°00'N / 98°40'W | 47°00'N / 98°30'W | 7.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Stutsman |
| 45.3 | 1966-07-31 | 2 | 46°00'N / 98°30'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Dickey | |||
| 45.4 | 1960-07-10 | 2 | 47°00'N / 97°12'W | 46°54'N / 97°12'W | 6.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Cass |
| 46.1 | 1973-07-01 | 3 | 46°07'N / 97°10'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |||
| 46.7 | 1999-07-27 | 2 | 45°59'N / 98°31'W | 45°59'N / 98°31'W | 2.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 800K | 0 | Dickey |
| Brief Description: One half mile debris from 3 mobile homes. Large trees uprooted. 70kt winds reported with storm. | |||||||||||
| 46.8 | 1974-08-14 | 2 | 47°11'N / 98°10'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Barnes | |||
| 47.3 | 1965-05-20 | 3 | 45°55'N / 98°29'W | 45°58'N / 98°25'W | 3.80 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Brown |
| 47.8 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 46°53'N / 97°19'W | 47°00'N / 96°56'W | 19.60 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass |
| 48.5 | 1957-06-20 | 5 | 46°54'N / 97°21'W | 46°53'N / 96°46'W | 27.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 10 | 103 | 25.0M | 0 | Cass |
| 48.6 | 1968-06-09 | 2 | 45°50'N / 97°38'W | 45°53'N / 97°34'W | 3.80 Miles | 283 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Marshall |
| 49.1 | 2010-05-22 | 2 | 45°51'N / 98°18'W | 45°52'N / 98°17'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Brown |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An eighth tornado touched down west of Hecla producing damage to one farm including tearing the roof off of an outbuilding and throwing several grain bins 100 yards or more. Widespread tree damage was also noted. The tornado continued northeast damaging another outbuilding and destroying an empty grain bin before lifting. Wind speeds were estimated between 112 and 120 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several supercell thunderstorms developed along a very strong warm front and produced nine tornadoes from Akaska to Bowdle to Hecla. The largest of the tornadoes was an EF4 tornado which occurred near Bowdle. This tornado produced devastating damage in the Bowdle area. The other tornadoes ranged from EF0 to EF2 and caused extensive tree and building damage. Nearly one-hundred power poles were downed along with several high line towers leaving nearly a thousand customers without power. Also, very strong straight line winds and large hail up to the size of golfballs affected parts of the area causing some damage. | |||||||||||
| 49.6 | 1968-08-23 | 3 | 47°08'N / 98°28'W | 47°09'N / 98°28'W | 1.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Barnes |
* 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.