Clayton County, IA Tornadoes

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Tornadoes in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest & central Wisconsin
Background Information	Statistics (1850-Present)	Records (1850-Present)

Clayton County (IA) Tornadoes*
1850-2020

Date			Time	Location	Other Counties Affected	Length (miles)	Width (yards)	Deaths**	Injuries**	EF-Scale
Month	Day	Year	Time	Location	Other Counties Affected	Length (miles)	Width (yards)	Deaths**	Injuries**	EF-Scale
9	12	2019	1634-1641 CST	Gunder 2.8E to Monona 2.3SSW	None	4.22	40	0	0	EF0
			A tornado touched down northwest of Farmersburg and moved northeast before dissipating southwest of Monona. Damage from the tornado was limited to some trees, a few outbuildings, and crops. One home did have some tree branches impaled through a wall. This tornaado caused $30,000 in property damage and $3,000 in crop damage.
7	19	2017	1708-1716 CST	Giard 1NE to McGregor 0.7NE	None	5.78	400	0	2	EF1
			An EF-1 tornado touched down about 5 miles west of McGregor and then moved through McGregor before dissipating just east of town over the Mississippi River. The most damage occurred in McGregor with two buildings downtown completely destroyed while numerous others were damaged. Two people sustained minor injuries due to flying glass. Hundreds of trees across town were snapped off. West of McGregor, the tornado damaged a storage shed, ripped back part of a metal roof from an outbuilding and damaged numerous trees. One person was killed in an accident cleaning up debris when a tractor rolled over pinning the person underneath it. This tornado caused $840,000 in property damage. More on this tornado can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/arx/jul1917
5	29	2013	1646-1654 CST	0.6 ESE Garnavillo to 1 SE Wyalusing	Grant, WI	6.38 (4.82 miles in Clayton County)	200 Clayton 10 Grant	0	0	EF0
			This tornado initially touched down in Clayton County where it damaged a pole barn and knocked down numerous trees from east of Garnavillo to the Wisconsin stateline. It then crossed the Mississippi River and it went through a campground north of Bagley before dissipating. This tornado cauused $20,000 in property damage (all in Clayton County). More on this tornado can be found at: https://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=may2913
3	31	2007	1629-1641 CST	Delaware 5.4N to Garber 4S	Delaware	11.8	200	0	0	EF1
			This tornado began 5.4 miles north of Delaware in Delaware County, at about 429 PM CST, and crossed into Clayton County (6 miles east of Edgewood) at approximately 437 PM CST. This tornado continued northward another 4 miles and dissipated about 4 miles south of Garber at approximately 441 PM CST. This tornado moved north-northeast at 50 mph. In Delaware County, this tornado struck 8 farmsteads. It produced mostly minor damage to outbuildings and trees. However a farm southeast of Greeley, EF1 damage occurred with winds estimated at 81 mph. A dairy barn collapsed, trapping two people that were milking cows under the debris. They rescued unharmed, but 24 cows were killed. A two-car garage was completely blown off its foundation, but the house next to it had little damage. An eyewitness just southwest of the farmstead reported seeing rotation in the clouds as it descended and struck the dairy bar. Near the Delaware-Clayton county line, a narrow swath of considerable damage was noted, with debris carried up a hillside and spread across a road. Path length in Delaware county was more than 7 miles, and damage was estimated at $162,000. In Clayton county, this tornado hit a farm and destroyed a machine shed and snapped off trees. Debris was blown into a nearby field, which included boards being stabbed into the ground. Property damage was estimated to be approximately $40,000.
5	10	2001	1704 CST	Edgewood 2N to Edgewood 3N	None	1	75	0	0	F0
			Law enforcement officials reported a tornado just northeast of Edgewood which damaged trees and outbuildings on a couple of farms. Strong winds associated with the tornado drove a 2x4 through the side of a feed bin and twisted off tree tops. No injuries were reported in the storm. Damage was estimated at $10,000.
5	25	1994	1905-1918 CST	Garber 4N to Osterdock 0.5NW	None	6.5	40	0	0	F1
			The result of a "cold air funnel" touching down, this tornado tracked over mainly open country causing minimal damage.
6	19	1992	1623-1627 CST	Elkader 4.5S	None	1	25	0	0	F1
			A pickup truck was lifted off a road and rotated. A radio tower was also knocked down. The tornado was over open country most of the time.
6	19	1992	1612-1615 CST	Elkader 2W to Elkader 3NW	None	0.2	25	0	0	F0
			The tornado hit a farmstead destroying a barn and topping a few trees.
6	13	1990	1720-1737 CST	Elkader to Garnavillo 1NW	None	8	65	0	0	F2
			Moving east-northeast, farm buildings were damaged.
6	26	1989	0930 CST	Guttenberg	None	0.2	20	0	1	F0
			Trees were uprooted and damage was done to several buildings. One young boy was injured by flying debris.
5	24	1989	2030 CST	St. Olaf 3NW	None	0.3	25	0	0	F0
			A farmstead was damaged.
11	15	1988	2122 CST	Garnavillo 2N	None	0.2	20	0	0	F0
			A pole shed was destroyed, and several power lines were downed.
5	30	1985	2122-2245 CST	Elkader 6W to Mt. Hope 2S	Grant (WI)	33	1500	2	27	F3
			A tornado touched down west of Elkader and tracked east-northeast at about 45 mph. While the tornado did miss the town of Elkader (Clayton County), it did hit the County Care Facility and killed two residents. More than 20 farmsteads were also struck, with significant damage to dwellings, farm buildings, machinery, livestock, and crops. Total damage in Clayton County alone was estimated at $9,000,000, including $1,500,000 at the care facility alone. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River near Bagley and continued for another 11 miles south of Patch Grove, north of Bloomington, to just south of Mt.Hope. An elderly woman and her son were injured just northeast of Bagley when their farmhouse was leveled. Nearly $2,000,000 in damage occurred to 17 homes and 45 farm buildings. Numerous trees, including a 100 year old stand of pine trees, were leveled or twisted. Even when the tornado lifted, damaging wind hit the townships of North Lancaster and Liberty, as well as the town of Stitzer. There were 2 deaths and 25 injuries in Clayton County, and 2 injuries in Grant County.
8	25	1965	1915 CST	?	None	?	?	0	0	F2
4	30	1954	2030 CST	Dundee 2W to Garber	Delaware	20	200	0	0	F2
			Tracking northeast, this tornado moved into southwest Clayton County and hit the edge of Garber before lifting. Homes and businesses were unroofed and torn apart on the east side of Garber. Damage for this tornado was estimated at $1,250,000.
5	10	1953	1800 CST	Elkader 7NNE to Giard 1NE	None	6	400	0	1	F3
			Barns and silos were destroyed as the tornado struck 8 farms. At least 60 head of cattle were killed. A farmer was carried 700 feet, but suffered only minor injures. Damage estimates were $150,000.
9	3	1941	1730 CST	Millville 2E	Grant (WI)	5	30	0	1	F2
			A tornado formed east of Millville in Clayton County Iowa, and moved northeast into Grant County Wisconsin near Cassville. Water was raised 60 feet in the air as the funnel crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. A child was injured as a home was unroofed and overturned in Grant County, Wisconsin.
7	10	1934	0200 CST	West Union to Elkader 3S	Fayette	25	??	0	1	F2
			Most of the damage from this tornado occurred at West Union (Fayette County) where a dozen homes were unroofedor torn apart. The tornado then moved southeast and lifted south of Elkader (Clayton County), where a man was electrocuted after the storm passed. Damage estimates totalled $80,000.
5	21	1918	1915 CST	Elkport 2NE to Garnavillo 2SE	None	10	??	0	0	F2
			Two barns were destroyed. This tornado moved northeast, and was one in a series of 19 significant tornadoes in Iowa that day.
5	21	1918	1815 CST	Elkport 4SW to Baraboo	Grant (WI) Iowa (WI) Richland (WI) Sauk (WI)	80	400	8	100	F4
			One of the largest tornadoes during this outbreak of 19, this tornado touched down in Clayton County and didn't lift until it hit Sauk County, Wisconsin, some 80 miles east-northeast. Damage in Clayton County was estimated at $30,000 and 8 people were injured. Three of the injuries and most of the damage was done in the southern part of Guttenberg. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River 1 mile south of Glen Haven.
6	12	1915	1615 CST	West Union 3S to Postville 2S	Fayette	12	100	0	1	F4
			This tornado was watched by hundreds of people in town. One farm was "devastated", the house and barn leveled. Heavy machinery was thrown 300 yards. Clothing was carried two miles. A man was injured in a barn near the end of the path.
5	16	1899	2030 CST	Greeley to Colesburg	Delaware	10	200	4	14	F4
			The tornado moved east northeast from 3miles northwest of Greeley, passing northwest of Coleburg. At least five farms were hit. The tornado narrowed to only 75 yards near Colesburg and swept away all buildings including homes on three of the farms. All deaths occurred in Clayton County. Two people were killed in one family and four others may have died later. Four men were caught in the one mile from Colesburg and two of them were killed as they looked for shelter. A tombstone of some kind was reportedly carried for two miles.
6	11	1883	1500 CST	Elkport	None	10	100	0	8	F3
			The tornado moved northeast passing across the southern part of Elkport. Fifteen farms lost barns or other buildings in rural areas. Three homes were destroyed and others unroofed in town. The tornado caused an estimated $85,000 worth of damage.
9	26	1881	1635 CST	Moved northeast near Postville	Allamakee Fayette	6	200	1 (?)	7	F3
			Moved northeast near Postville. Three homes and several barns were destroyed on at least two farms. Only a foundation was left of a home in Post Township. A girl may have died.
* The data in this table came from *Storm Data* and *Significant Tornadoes--1680-1991* by Thomas P. Grazulis. ** Injuries and Deaths are for the entire tornado track.

Last Updated Friday, April 24, 2020- Jeff Boyne

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