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Washington County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

 
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The chance of earthquake damage in Washington County is about the same as Minnesota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Washington County is higher than Minnesota average and is higher than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake IndexVolcano IndexTornado IndexOther Weather Extremes EventsVolcanos NearbyHistorical Earthquake EventsHistorical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #55

Washington County
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

Washington County
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, #17

Washington County
187.20
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 11,259 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Washington County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

TypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCount
Avalanche:0Blizzard:61Cold:91Dense Fog:69Drought:35
Dust Storm:0Flood:522Hail:4,720Heat:46Heavy Snow:132
High Surf:0Hurricane:0Ice Storm:27Landslide:0Strong Wind:103
Thunderstorm Winds:4,615Tropical Storm:0Wildfire:2Winter Storm:279Winter Weather:43
Other:514 

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Washington County.

Historical Earthquake Events

No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Washington County.

No historical earthquake events found in or near Washington County.

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 68 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Washington County.

Distance (miles)DateMagnitudeStart Lat/LogEnd Lat/LogLengthWidthFatalitiesInjuriesProperty DamageCrop DamageAffected County
2.11958-05-24345°09'N / 92°57'W44°58'N / 92°46'W15.10 Miles50 Yards06250K0Washington
9.01958-10-09245°01'N / 92°44'W45°01'N / 92°41'W0025K0St. Croix
9.62008-05-25345°10'N / 93°01'W45°10'N / 92°55'W4.00 Miles220 Yards11725.0M0KWashington
 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.
11.32008-05-25345°10'N / 93°03'W45°10'N / 93°01'W2.00 Miles220 Yards00300K0KAnoka
 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.
12.21981-06-14344°53'N / 93°10'W45°00'N / 93°02'W10.00 Miles600 Yards16025.0M0Ramsey
12.31952-06-24245°07'N / 93°05'W45°12'N / 93°04'W5.10 Miles267 Yards092.5M0Anoka
13.01954-06-25244°50'N / 92°55'W44°52'N / 92°51'W2.70 Miles1760 Yards0025K0Washington
13.81965-05-06445°08'N / 93°10'W45°10'N / 93°05'W3.80 Miles667 Yards0025.0M0Anoka
14.81958-05-24344°58'N / 92°46'W44°51'N / 92°32'W13.70 Miles50 Yards06250K0St. Croix
15.61984-04-26345°02'N / 93°13'W45°06'N / 93°12'W4.50 Miles600 Yards0025.0M0Ramsey
16.41984-04-26345°01'N / 93°14'W45°02'N / 93°13'W1.00 Mile60 Yards15225.0M0Hennepin
16.71965-05-06445°03'N / 93°17'W45°08'N / 93°10'W7.60 Miles667 Yards010825.0M0Ramsey
17.51965-07-12245°17'N / 92°59'W0.30 Mile33 Yards0025K0Washington
17.71953-05-10244°50'N / 92°40'W44°51'N / 92°39'W002.5M0Pierce
18.01954-08-15245°07'N / 92°35'W45°08'N / 92°30'W3.00 Miles100 Yards00250K0St. Croix
18.21953-05-10244°51'N / 92°39'W45°13'N / 92°23'W28.30 Miles100 Yards192.5M0St. Croix
18.21965-05-06445°02'N / 93°17'W45°08'N / 93°14'W6.80 Miles1000 Yards317525.0M0Anoka
20.21986-07-18245°00'N / 93°17'W45°10'N / 93°19'W2.00 Miles833 Yards002.5M0Hennepin
20.31967-06-12245°18'N / 92°42'W0.50 Mile50 Yards0025K0Polk
20.61981-06-14344°49'N / 93°16'W44°53'N / 93°10'W6.20 Miles600 Yards02325.0M0Hennepin
20.62005-09-21245°10'N / 93°19'W45°11'N / 93°13'W2.00 Miles50 Yards015.0M0Anoka
 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.
21.61986-07-18245°10'N / 93°19'W45°09'N / 93°17'W2.00 Miles833 Yards002.5M0Anoka
21.71965-05-06444°59'N / 93°23'W45°03'N / 93°17'W5.90 Miles667 Yards65025.0M0Hennepin
24.21983-07-03445°13'N / 93°19'W1.00 Mile67 Yards0425K0Anoka
25.71951-07-20344°56'N / 93°30'W44°53'N / 93°16'W11.60 Miles33 Yards54025.0M0Hennepin
25.81979-05-22244°49'N / 93°19'W2.00 Miles100 Yards002.5M0Hennepin
26.01951-06-19445°12'N / 93°23'W45°13'N / 93°21'W192.5M0Anoka
26.11987-07-23345°09'N / 93°29'W45°07'N / 93°20'W5.00 Miles170 Yards0025.0M0Hennepin
27.31966-07-05245°09'N / 93°29'W45°04'N / 93°24'W6.50 Miles33 Yards00250K0Hennepin
29.12010-07-14244°46'N / 92°34'W44°48'N / 92°16'W15.00 Miles100 Yards000K0KPierce
 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.
30.91979-10-03244°43'N / 92°27'W2.50 Miles100 Yards0025K0Pierce
32.01952-06-23244°50'N / 93°30'W44°51'N / 93°28'W052.5M0Hennepin
32.81965-05-06444°51'N / 93°32'W44°57'N / 93°32'W6.90 Miles200 Yards0025.0M0Carver
32.91958-06-04544°54'N / 92°20'W44°55'N / 92°09'W8.60 Miles880 Yards12025.0M0St. Croix
33.82010-07-14244°45'N / 92°21'W44°49'N / 92°15'W6.00 Miles30 Yards000K0KPierce
 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.
33.81967-07-22244°49'N / 92°23'W44°46'N / 92°12'W9.20 Miles200 Yards03250K0Pierce
33.91981-06-14244°51'N / 92°15'W0.50 Mile33 Yards00250K0Pierce
33.91966-07-10245°20'N / 92°20'W2.00 Miles33 Yards02250K0Polk
35.31977-07-30345°10'N / 92°13'W45°13'N / 92°11'W2.70 Miles200 Yards002.5M0St. Croix
35.51952-06-24244°20'N / 93°51'W45°07'N / 93°05'W65.80 Miles267 Yards062.5M0Le Sueur
35.62006-09-16245°12'N / 93°38'W45°14'N / 93°31'W7.00 Miles100 Yards1030.0M0Hennepin
 Brief Description: A tornado touched down on the western edge of Sylvan Lake and moved quickly northeast. It produced F0 damage to some farms and rural residences in Hassan Township before strengthening and entering the northwest corner of Rogers. It gained F2 status briefly as it moved through a residential neighborhood in Rogers, where it took the life of a 10 year old girl in a home. A home weather station 2/3 mile southeast of the tornado at this point measured 65 mph inflow winds. The tornado crossed Interstate 94 and entered another neighborhood, where F1 damage was produced. One house with significant damage had a home weather station in the back yard. Once the data were retrieved, its peak gust was found to have reached 105 mph. The tornado then moved into the northern tip of Dayton, alternating between F0 and F1 damage, then exited Hennepin County, crossed the Mississippi River and entered the city of Ramsey in Anoka County (see separate entry). The maximum width in Hennepin County was 100 yards, although its maximum width in Anoka County was only 25 yards. F10PH
35.81968-05-15244°29'N / 93°12'W44°35'N / 92°55'W15.40 Miles333 Yards01250K0Dakota
35.81980-07-15245°05'N / 92°10'W45°05'N / 92°09'W002.5M0St. Croix
36.01987-07-27344°34'N / 92°43'W44°28'N / 93°02'W20.00 Miles220 Yards002.5M0Goodhue
36.61980-07-15245°05'N / 92°09'W45°05'N / 92°08'W1122.5M0Dunn
37.02001-05-09244°30'N / 93°02'W44°31'N / 92°59'W4.00 Miles50 Yards004.0M0Goodhue
 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.
37.01958-05-24344°51'N / 92°32'W44°37'N / 92°00'W30.60 Miles50 Yards00250K0Pierce
37.31998-03-29244°33'N / 93°15'W44°33'N / 93°11'W3.00 Miles440 Yards0000Dakota
37.51952-06-23345°25'N / 92°38'W45°35'N / 92°20'W18.20 Miles100 Yards262.5M0Polk
37.51977-07-30345°13'N / 92°11'W45°14'N / 92°09'W002.5M0Polk
39.22001-05-09244°28'N / 93°05'W44°30'N / 93°02'W3.00 Miles50 Yards007.0M0Dakota
 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.
40.51953-05-10245°13'N / 92°23'W45°39'N / 92°10'W31.60 Miles100 Yards292.5M0Polk
41.12001-05-09244°28'N / 93°10'W44°28'N / 93°05'W5.00 Miles50 Yards019.0M0Rice
 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.
41.21977-05-21244°34'N / 93°37'W44°48'N / 93°31'W16.60 Miles33 Yards00250K0Scott
41.41977-07-30345°14'N / 92°09'W45°19'N / 92°04'W6.40 Miles33 Yards002.5M0Barron
41.81965-05-06444°54'N / 93°44'W44°58'N / 93°44'W4.60 Miles300 Yards08825.0M0Hennepin
42.01968-05-15244°28'N / 93°14'W44°29'N / 93°12'W02250K0Rice
42.31957-05-21445°35'N / 92°52'W45°43'N / 92°52'W9.20 Miles100 Yards0225K0Chisago
42.51958-06-04544°55'N / 92°09'W44°57'N / 91°55'W11.40 Miles880 Yards205425.0M0Dunn
42.51987-07-27344°28'N / 93°02'W44°26'N / 93°16'W10.00 Miles220 Yards002.5M0Rice
43.81965-05-06444°47'N / 93°45'W44°54'N / 93°44'W7.70 Miles300 Yards38725.0M0Carver
46.31998-03-29244°28'N / 93°26'W44°28'N / 93°20'W5.00 Miles440 Yards0020.0M0Rice
 Brief Description: Four homes and 6 businesses severely damaged. Street department building damaged. 20 farms damaged or destroyed.
46.31997-06-15244°46'N / 92°02'W44°46'N / 92°01'W1.00 Mile500 Yards00200K0Dunn
 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.
46.91958-07-14245°16'N / 91°59'W1.00 Mile67 Yards0025K0Barron
46.91981-06-13245°35'N / 93°28'W2.00 Miles100 Yards00250K0Isanti
48.41951-09-12344°38'N / 92°05'W44°41'N / 92°02'W3.30 Miles200 Yards00250K0Pepin
49.71977-05-21244°31'N / 93°38'W44°34'N / 93°37'W2.70 Miles100 Yards00250K0Le Sueur
49.92010-06-17245°43'N / 92°52'W45°48'N / 92°46'W7.00 Miles400 Yards02283K0KPine
 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.


* 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.


 
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