Polk County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Wisconsin Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Polk County is about the same as Wisconsin average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Polk County is lower than Wisconsin average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #29
| Polk County | 0.00 |
| Wisconsin | 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
| Polk County | 0.0000 |
| Wisconsin | 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, #34
| Polk County | 139.46 |
| Wisconsin | 153.98 |
| 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 8,705 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Polk County 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: | 53 | Cold: | 65 | Dense Fog: | 12 | Drought: | 26 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 359 | Hail: | 3,632 | Heat: | 25 | Heavy Snow: | 145 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 24 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 70 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 3,723 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 222 | Winter Weather: | 6 |
| Other: | 342 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Polk County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Polk County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Polk County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 57 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Polk County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.6 | 1952-06-23 | 3 | 45°25'N / 92°38'W | 45°35'N / 92°20'W | 18.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Polk |
| 9.0 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 45°13'N / 92°23'W | 45°39'N / 92°10'W | 31.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Polk |
| 11.0 | 1966-07-10 | 2 | 45°20'N / 92°20'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Polk | |
| 16.7 | 1967-06-12 | 2 | 45°18'N / 92°42'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Polk | |
| 21.4 | 1977-07-30 | 3 | 45°14'N / 92°09'W | 45°19'N / 92°04'W | 6.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Barron |
| 21.8 | 1977-07-30 | 3 | 45°13'N / 92°11'W | 45°14'N / 92°09'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Polk | ||
| 22.1 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 45°35'N / 92°05'W | 45°38'N / 92°00'W | 4.50 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Barron |
| 22.7 | 1977-07-30 | 3 | 45°10'N / 92°13'W | 45°13'N / 92°11'W | 2.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | St. Croix |
| 23.5 | 2001-06-18 | 3 | 45°47'N / 92°39'W | 45°49'N / 92°02'W | 30.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 16 | 10.0M | 0 | Burnett |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down at 806 pm local daylight time 1.5 miles east of Grantsburg and traveled east at an average speed of 40 mph through the village of Siren to the Washburn County line, then continued on to a point 3 miles west of Spooner. The path of the tornado averaged 1/8 to 1/4 mile, but reached its greatest width of « mile as it approached Siren around 820 pm, where it did F-3 damage. Two people were killed by the tornado, and there were 16 injuries. Four hundred homes were destroyed, 200 in Siren alone, with 280 homes damaged, and 60 businesses destroyed or damaged. Most of the damage occurred in an 8-block area of Siren. Approximately 14,000 acres of trees were leveled along the tornado path. The two people killed were in Dewey Township, about 14 miles east of Siren. An 80-year-old woman was crushed by a falling wall while trying to get to the basement, and a 77-year-old man was found dead about 100 yards from his demolished home, presumably thrown there by tornado-force winds. Many buildings in the path of the tornado through Dewey Township, including the Dewey Town Hall, were destroyed as well. Power lines, trees, and buildings were also damaged or destroyed at Alpha, Falun, and Mud Hen Lake along the path of the tornado between Grantsburg and Siren. Fifteen cows were lost when a barn collapsed near Falun. Some were killed outright. Others were injured and had to be put down. | |||||||||||
| 23.6 | 1957-05-21 | 4 | 45°35'N / 92°52'W | 45°43'N / 92°52'W | 9.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Chisago |
| 24.1 | 1954-08-15 | 2 | 45°07'N / 92°35'W | 45°08'N / 92°30'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | St. Croix |
| 26.3 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 45°46'N / 92°46'W | 45°53'N / 92°31'W | 14.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Burnett |
| 26.6 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 45°43'N / 92°52'W | 45°48'N / 92°46'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 283K | 0K | Pine |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The severe storm that produced the tornado tracked northeast along the Saint Croix River Valley on the Minnesota-Wisconsin state border. Although the tornado crossed through mostly recreational land, residents between Rush City and Rock Creek in MN, as well as Grantsburg to Yellow Lake in WI were impacted. The maximum path width was a quarter mile, or 400 yards, with an average path width of 400 to 600 ft. The tornado exited Pine County at around 1955 CST, continuing on in Burnett County, WI, where it lifted at 2001 CST, about 3.5 miles northwest of Grantsburg, WI. The total path length was about 6.5 miles. The worst of the damage occurred in far southeast Pine County and was evidence of a strong EF2 tornado with estimated winds of 110-135 mph. This rating was based on the total destruction of a strapped down mobile home and the extensive uprooting/snapping of trees where the tornado crossed Minnesota State Highway 70. Two people in a mobile home were injured. Multiple homes sustained significant damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A significant, widespread severe weather outbreak occurred across a large portion of central and east central Minnesota. A powerful mid summer storm system over the western Dakotas, combined with warm moist air surging northward from the Gulf of Mexico, provided the ingredients for tornadoes, destructive winds, and large hail across parts of the Northland. In addition, several storms in the Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish area of north central Minnesota produced a large amount of one to two inch diameter hail, which is about quarter to slightly larger than golf ball size. | |||||||||||
| 26.7 | 1958-07-14 | 2 | 45°16'N / 91°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Barron | |
| 27.2 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 45°39'N / 92°10'W | 45°54'N / 92°02'W | 18.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Burnett |
| 27.7 | 1990-09-11 | 2 | 45°30'N / 91°53'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Barron | |
| 28.7 | 1965-07-12 | 2 | 45°17'N / 92°59'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Washington | |
| 30.2 | 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 |
| 30.2 | 1980-07-15 | 2 | 45°05'N / 92°10'W | 45°05'N / 92°09'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | St. Croix | ||
| 30.6 | 1980-07-15 | 2 | 45°05'N / 92°09'W | 45°05'N / 92°08'W | 1 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Dunn | ||
| 31.1 | 1965-05-07 | 2 | 45°44'N / 91°56'W | 1.00 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Washburn | |
| 31.9 | 1967-07-22 | 2 | 45°24'N / 92°06'W | 45°18'N / 91°32'W | 28.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Barron |
| 32.5 | 2008-05-25 | 3 | 45°10'N / 93°01'W | 45°10'N / 92°55'W | 4.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 1 | 17 | 25.0M | 0K | Washington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down on the eastern side of Lino Lakes, at the eastern shore of Peltier Lake. The tornado felled trees and lifted boat docks, then tracked east and crossed Interstate 35E. As this occurred, a few barns, grain bins, and silos were damaged. The tornado then intensified as it moved into northwestern Washington County and a subdivision (Creekview Preserve), about two miles north of downtown Hugo. It was at this point (around 16:01), that the twister caused EF-3 damage. The tornado dissipated in the eastern portion of Hugo, just north of Irish Avenue and 140th Street. Seven hundred and ninety four homes, including mobile homes, were affected by the storm in some way. A total of 91 homes sustained minor structural damage, numerous broken windows, and damage to small sections of roof. Twenty seven homes were destroyed, totally collapsed, or not economically feasible to repair. A two year old boy died after being blown out of the first floor of his home in Creekview Preserve. A 62 year old woman died an indirect death when she suffered a heart attack during cleanup in Hugo a few days later. Some important information provided by the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, and other local newspapers. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front was the catalyst for numerous reports of severe weather on this date. | |||||||||||
| 33.1 | 2001-06-18 | 2 | 45°50'N / 92°03'W | 45°50'N / 91°58'W | 4.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Washburn |
| Brief Description: The tornado, which began near Grantsburg in Burnett County, entered Washburn County at 851 pm local daylight time, 7 miles west of Spooner, and traveled to a point about 3 miles west of Spooner, dissipating around 900 pm. The tornado was in the dissipating stage as it entered Washburn County, but the tree and structural damage that was reported was still classified as F-2. Several homes had windows blown in, roofs torn off, or were damaged by falling trees. | |||||||||||
| 33.5 | 1958-10-09 | 2 | 45°01'N / 92°44'W | 45°01'N / 92°41'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | St. Croix | ||
| 34.5 | 1958-05-24 | 3 | 45°09'N / 92°57'W | 44°58'N / 92°46'W | 15.10 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Washington |
| 35.0 | 2008-05-25 | 3 | 45°10'N / 93°03'W | 45°10'N / 93°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Anoka |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down on the eastern side of Lino Lakes, at the eastern shore of Peltier Lake. The tornado felled trees and lifted boat docks, then tracked east and crossed Interstate 35E. As this occurred, a few barns, grain bins, and silos were damaged. The tornado then intensified as it moved into northwestern Washington County and a subdivision (Creekview Preserve), about two miles north of downtown Hugo. It was at this point (around 16:01), that the twister caused EF-3 damage. The tornado dissipated in the eastern portion of Hugo, just north of Irish Avenue and 140th Street. Seven hundred and ninety four homes, including mobile homes, were affected by the storm in some way. A total of 91 homes sustained minor structural damage, numerous broken windows, and damage to small sections of roof. Twenty seven homes were destroyed, totally collapsed, or not economically feasible to repair. A two year old boy in Washington County (see corresponding entry) died after being blown out of the first floor of his home in Creekview Preserve. A 62 year old woman in Washington County died an indirect death due to a heart attack during cleanup in Hugo a few days later. Some important information provided by the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, and other local newspapers. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front was the catalyst for numerous reports of severe weather on this date. | |||||||||||
| 36.0 | 1957-07-04 | 2 | 45°36'N / 91°46'W | 45°36'N / 91°42'W | 1.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Barron |
| 36.6 | 1964-06-18 | 2 | 45°26'N / 91°45'W | 45°25'N / 91°39'W | 4.10 Miles | 13 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Barron |
| 37.0 | 1952-06-24 | 2 | 45°07'N / 93°05'W | 45°12'N / 93°04'W | 5.10 Miles | 267 Yards | 0 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Anoka |
| 39.3 | 1965-05-06 | 4 | 45°08'N / 93°10'W | 45°10'N / 93°05'W | 3.80 Miles | 667 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Anoka |
| 39.5 | 1964-06-18 | 2 | 45°25'N / 91°39'W | 45°25'N / 91°38'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Barron | ||
| 39.8 | 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 |
| 40.0 | 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 |
| 40.6 | 1990-09-11 | 2 | 45°26'N / 91°39'W | 45°26'N / 91°35'W | 3.00 Miles | 2500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Barron |
| 41.7 | 1986-09-03 | 2 | 45°19'N / 91°38'W | 45°20'N / 91°36'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Barron |
| 42.2 | 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 |
| 43.8 | 1981-06-14 | 2 | 44°51'N / 92°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 44.4 | 2005-09-21 | 2 | 45°10'N / 93°19'W | 45°11'N / 93°13'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 5.0M | 0 | Anoka |
| Brief Description: A damage survey determined that the tornado touched down in the east central portion of Coon Rapids, only a few blocks west of the border with Blaine. It traveled east-southeast causing mostly F0 to F1 damage at first, but strengthened to F2 status near the intersection of Jefferson Street and 104th Court. The tornado dissipated only 1/4 mile west of the National Sports Center complex. Ten homes were rendered uninhabitable, and thirty others were damaged to a lesser extent. A woman suffered minor injuries when she was blown from the upper story of her home into a tree. | |||||||||||
| 44.4 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 44°50'N / 92°40'W | 44°51'N / 92°39'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pierce | ||
| 45.4 | 1983-07-03 | 4 | 45°13'N / 93°19'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Anoka | |
| 45.6 | 1958-06-04 | 5 | 44°57'N / 91°55'W | 45°03'N / 91°40'W | 13.70 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Dunn |
| 45.6 | 1965-05-06 | 4 | 45°03'N / 93°17'W | 45°08'N / 93°10'W | 7.60 Miles | 667 Yards | 0 | 108 | 25.0M | 0 | Ramsey |
| 46.0 | 1984-04-26 | 3 | 45°02'N / 93°13'W | 45°06'N / 93°12'W | 4.50 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Ramsey |
| 46.2 | 1971-07-18 | 2 | 45°01'N / 92°12'W | 44°52'N / 91°32'W | 34.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dunn |
| 46.3 | 1986-07-18 | 2 | 45°10'N / 93°19'W | 45°09'N / 93°17'W | 2.00 Miles | 833 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Anoka |
| 47.3 | 1965-05-06 | 4 | 45°02'N / 93°17'W | 45°08'N / 93°14'W | 6.80 Miles | 1000 Yards | 3 | 175 | 25.0M | 0 | Anoka |
| 47.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 47.4 | 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 |
| 47.5 | 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 |
| 47.8 | 1951-06-19 | 4 | 45°12'N / 93°23'W | 45°13'N / 93°21'W | 1 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Anoka | ||
| 47.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 48.1 | 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 |
| 48.4 | 1984-04-26 | 3 | 45°01'N / 93°14'W | 45°02'N / 93°13'W | 1.00 Mile | 60 Yards | 1 | 52 | 25.0M | 0 | Hennepin |
| 49.0 | 1986-07-18 | 2 | 45°00'N / 93°17'W | 45°10'N / 93°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 833 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hennepin |
| 49.3 | 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 |
| 49.9 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 45°54'N / 92°02'W | 46°15'N / 91°45'W | 27.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Washburn |
* 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.