National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Critical Fire Weather Concerns; Storm Tracking Across the Plains

Combination of strong winds, dry conditions and above normal temperatures will result in elevated to critical fire weather concerns for the Southern Plains and portions of Southern California. This is part of a storm system that is tracking across the central Plains with occasional snow showers and heavier snow from the Rockies through the Central/Northern Plains. Read More >

    Glenville/Austin MN tornado - F2/F1

Picture of the tornado track.
Picture of the tornado when near Glenville.

Three tornadoes hit parts of Freeborn and Mower Counties in southern Minnesota on Tuesday, May 1, 2001.

The tornado that hit Glenville, MN actually dissipated while still in Freeborn County. A second tornado formed around 7:15 pm about 8 miles southwest of Austin, MN, hitting several farms as it tracked northeast. Several hog farms were destoyed. This tornado crossed Interstate 90 between mile markers 173 and 174 west of Austin, tracked just southeast of Oakland, MN and continued toward the community of Lansing, MN before lifting about 4 miles north of Austin.

The tornado hit numerous farms, outbuildings, power poles, and crossed fields that were still bare of crops. Hardest hit were several homes in the small community of Andyville north of Austin, just off of Highway 218. Roofs were torn off and trees sheared off, with estimated F-2 damage on the Fujita Scale. This second tornado dissipated around 7:37pm. Peak width was approx. 250 yards.

A small tornado also touched down between Rose Creek and Elkton, MN around 7:52pm and will be rated an F0.

 

damage pic

A hog farm in eastern Freeborn county.

damage pic

Trees sheared off near a farm southwest of Oakland, MN.

damage pic

Grain Bin damage along county road 34 in eastern Freeborn county.

damage pic

Outbuildings demolished where 800 pigs survived.

damage pic

Garage roof torn off.

damage pic

Home damage north of Austin, in the Andyville vicinity.