Severe Thunderstorms and Widespread Flooding from Heavy Rain on June 18, 2024

Overview

Summary: On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurred ahead of the heaviest rainfall, prompting eight Tornado Warnings (near Ely and between Leech Lake and Grand Rapids) and 16 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. Flash flooding extended from north-central Minnesota to the MN Arrowhead and across Lake Superior to the Bayfield Peninsula. River flooding would continue for weeks after the event, and high water in the Rainy River Basin headwaters would eventually lead to minor flooding after another round of heavy rain in early July. Furthermore, significant tree blowdowns occurred in the Superior National Forest due to damaging wind gusts associated with the storms.

Additional Details: Slow moving heavy rain and thunderstorms tracked across northeastern Minnesota and far northern Wisconsin in the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, June 18, leading to extensive damaging flash flooding that evening, and prolonged areal and river flooding through the end of the week. Scattered rain had been persistent through the day, and then widespread strong storms initiated along a slow moving front with parallel atmospheric flow in the upper atmosphere, allowing for persistent regeneration of thunderstorms over the same area. These storms formed within an environment that was tropical in nature, connected to a surge of moisture that originated in the Gulf of Mexico. This produced torrential downpours that were capable of producing rain rates of 1-5 inches per hour. Several reports from trusted CoCoRaHS observers across Northeast Minnesota reported accumulations of an inch in 15 to 30 minutes. A widespread area of 3 inches or more accumulated by the morning of Wednesday, June 19 - the majority of which had fallen in eight hours or less. Fifteen COOP or CoCoRaHS observers in Northeast Minnesota reported 5 inches or more, with the highest reports over 7 inches. MRMS estimates suggest that a small area of 8 inches or more may have been possible, in an area not verified with official reports. These reports of 5-7.5+ inches were 500 to 1000+ year rainfalls, with only a 0.1-0.2% chance of happening in any given year. Elsewhere, rainfall over 3 inches in a 6-12 hour period were 100-200 year rainfalls (0.5-1% chance in any given year). Full list of rainfall reports here, or below. The area had been primed for a big flash flooding event, thanks to a wet spring (top 10 wettest March-April-May on record in the Northland), and several moderate to heavy rain events earlier in the month of June.

The impacts of this heavy rain were immediate. During flash flooding on the evening of the 18th, roads across the Iron Range, Lake Vermilion area, Twin Ports, MN North Shore, and WI South Shore were quickly covered with standing and running water, closing and washing out Superior National Forest roads (including access roads to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness, which would strand campers), County Highways (primarily across Cass, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, and Bayfield Counties), state highways (notably MN Highways 61, 73, and 1 and WI Highway 13), and U.S. highways (including Highway 53 and 169 and Interstate 35). Homes along the Iron Range and near Lake Vermilion were surrounded by water and some washouts led to homes and businesses being cut off entirely. Numerous cars became stranded after driving into floodwaters. Debris washed onto roads, which made for treacherous nighttime driving conditions in combination with floodwaters. Culvert washouts led to crumbling roads under unsuspecting drivers. Severe thunderstorms occurring at the same time led to pockets of wind damage, one of which caused a tree to fall on a tent, injuring a nine year old boy and triggering a search and rescue operation in Cook County. The I-35 tunnels in Duluth filled with several feet of water through the evening and traffic was rerouted off the interstate.

The next day, widespread overland flooding began to route into creeks, rivers, and lakes on top of the water that had already immediately fallen into area waterways, continuing extreme rises. Some rivers across the headwaters of the Rainy, Littlefork, Cloquet, and St. Louis rivers rose anywhere from 4 to 20 feet, causing rivers to quickly jump out of banks and lead to another period of minor to major flooding. Area inland lakes saw rises of 1 to 7 feet, especially along the Embarrass River chain of lakes near Biwabik, MN, where drinking water was partially affected. Major flooding occurred along the Littlefork River in the city of Cook, where floodwaters inundated downtown, surrounding residences and businesses with several feet of water for several days. Continued erosion from out-of-bank rivers and creeks continued to work away at area roads and highways, prompting additional road closures. High inflow from the Cloquet River led to water level rises on Island Lake Reservoir and subsequent rapid increase in outflow from the Island Lake Dam (up to 7387 cfs, greater than outflow released during historic flooding of June 2012). This led to extensive flooding downstream of the dam on the Cloquet River which inundated area roads and cut off driveways, encroached on railroad tracks, and surrounded private residences on Hunter and Bowman Lakes. Additional rises on the Mississippi River near Aitkin would briefly hit minor flood stage. Slow moving high water in the Rainy River basin eventually led to minor flooding on Crane, Namakan, and Kabetogama Lakes, thanks to an extra burst of heavy rain early in July.

Rainfall totals ending in the morning of the 19th. Much of this fell in 8 hours of less in the afternoon and evening of June 18th

Aerial view of extensive major flooding in the city of Cook, MN on June 20, 2024. Photo courtesy of Matt Olson/St. Louis County Emergency Management

MN State Highway 1 near Isabella, MN on June 19, 2024. Numerous County, State, and Federal highways closed due to water across the road and subsequent damage. (NWS Photo)

Flooding
Photos & Video
Radar
Storm Reports
Rainfall
Environment

Flooding

Major flooding in downtown Cook, MN from the Littlefork River, the day after flash flooding occurred across the region. Photo courtesty of St. Louis County Emergency Mgmt.

Hydrographs



The Littlefork River experienced historic flooding, including inundating the city of Cook with feet of water surrounding numerous buildings and structures in downtown Cook, closing dozens of roads, prompting sandbagging efforts and evacuation of parts of the city.	Up to 7.5 inches of rainfall occurred at the headwaters of the St. Louis and Cloquet Rivers in the evening of Tuesday, June 18, leading the river to rise above levels seen during the June 2012 floods. This led to major flooding of residences and road closures.	Fast reacting rivers along the North Shore responded with rapid river rises of 10 to 15 feet as 3 to 6 inches of rain fell along the MN North Shore late Tuesday evening on June 18. This would lead to bridge washouts, extensive road damage, and trail damage.	Rivers along the South Shore on the Bayfield Peninsula responded with rapid river rises as 3 to 5 inches of rainfall drained from the higher terrain of northern Bayfield County into these channeled basins. Several area waterways would briefly cover WI State Highway 13.

Impacts (not considered to be a comprehensive list)

Presidential Disaster Declaration for 22 counties in the State of Minnesota.
50+ roads closed in St. Louis County alone, including County, State, and Federal highways. Numerous roads closed across the area due to washout or water over the road in Cass, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, and Bayfield Counties.
- Extensive washouts of county, forest, and county highways across St. Louis and Lake counties. Some of the major arteries had to undergo extensive repairs with several week closures/detours before reopening (notably Highway 1 between Ely and Isabella). Repairs continued through the summer to state and federal highways.
- St. Louis County declared a disaster declaration on June 20, 2024 - https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNSTLOUIS/bulletins/3a3caf7
At least 4 roads in northeastern Cass County had water flowing over them and were closed for 48+ hours.
Railroad tracks washed out across the region.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points closed due to flooding, and some campers returning from the BWCA were temporarily stranded before roads reopened. Extensive flooding and road washouts across the Superior National Forest. People on the north side of Burntside Lake near Ely were also temporarily stranded until roads were fixed.
Tree fell on a person in a tent injuring them and was extracted by local Search and Rescue Squad and was sent to a local hospital.
Several bridges were washed out over the Baptism River near Finland, including the swinging bridge over High Falls in Tettegouche State Park.
The city of Hibbing experienced notable overland and over-street flooding, including flooding of Highway 169.
US Hwy 169 had feet of water over it near Hibbing, MN with stalled vehicles in the water.
The city of Cook had significant flooding, primarily due to rapid rises on the Littlefork River which inundated much of the city for days, surrounding residences and businesses with floodwaters. Floodwaters receded within a week of the event, but cleanup efforts continued through the summer.
Extensive flooding along the Cloquet River with river levels surpassing those observed in 2012. Flooding over roads and residential properties were inundated.
Lake Vermilion experienced about a one and a half foot rise in pre-rain lake levels, inundating docks and shoreline structures.
Boil water order for the city of Biwabik, MN, with Red Cross activation to distribute bottled water.
Campsites and entire campgrounds were underwater along the North Shore. Several spots along the Superior Hiking Trail were detoured due to bridge washouts or structural integrity concerns.
Portions of Highway 13 flooded in northern Bayfield County. Several major washouts led to closures of State Highway 13 near Cornucopia to Port Wing and subsequent long detours. The road re-opened a little over a week after the flood event.
Runoff from area creeks and rivers led to increased turbidity in Lake Superior and briefly reduced water quality at area beaches.
Floodwaters eventually made their way through the Rainy River Basin, and with additional heavy rains in early July, led to minor flooding along Crane, Namakan, and Kabetogama Lakes. Primary impacts were submerged docks and water encroaching on boat hours and shoreline structures. High water lingered on these lakes through July.

Photos & Video

Flooding


St Louis Rescue Squad volunteers navigating the flooded town of Cook, MN on Friday, June 21, 2024 post-heavy rainfall with flooding inundating much of the town structures and roadways. (National Weather Service)	City of Cook with flood waters on Wednesday, June 19 in the city limits resulting in closed roads and inundated structures. (National Weather Service)	City of Cook with flood waters on Wednesday, June 19 in the city limits resulting in closed roads and inundated structures. (National Weather Service)	City of Cook with flood waters on Wednesday, June 19 in the city limits resulting in closed roads and inundated structures. (National Weather Service)


City of Cook with flood waters on Wednesday, June 19 in the city limits resulting in closed roads and inundated structures. (National Weather Service)	Railroad tracks washed out, shown on Wednesday June 19, after heavy rainfall the previous day resulted in flash flooding. (NWS Duluth)	Two vehicles were trapped in the flood waters on Highway 169 near Hibbing, MN during the mid-morning hours of Wednesday, June 19. (Courtesy of St. Louis County via Twitter)	Flooding in the city of Hibbing, MN (Courtesy of Joe Ellen)


Weiss Creek flooded over and washed out parts of MN State Highway 1 near Isabella as of Wednesday, June 19. (National Weather Service)	A forest road bridge was washed out on the Baptism River near Finland from the flash flooding. (Courtesy of Dan Wolfe, KBJR via Twitter)	A bridge along the Superior Hiking Trail covered in flood waters from the Beaver River on the morning of Wednesday June 19. (National Weather Service)	The Swinging Bridge above High Falls in Tettegouche State Park was inundated with flood waters from the Baptism River on Wednesday, June 19. (Courtesy of @akpix via Twitter)


Washed out boat ramp on Big Lake after flash flooding occurred in the Superior National Forest in the evening and overnight of Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Courtesy of Superior National Forest, via Flickr)	A washed out Forest Service road leading to Big Lake after flash flooding occurred in the Superior National Forest in the evening and overnight of Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Courtesy of Superior National Forest, via Flickr)	A person portaging around damage left after flash flooding occurred in the Superior National Forest in the evening and overnight of Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Courtesy of Superior National Forest, via Flickr)	Map of BWCA entry points that were inaccessible and closed roads in the Superior National Forest after flash flooding occurred in the evening and overnight of Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Courtesy of Superior National Forest, via Flickr)

Two lines on a breaker box show water levels from June 2024 as compared to June 2012 on Alden Lake along the Cloquet River. June 2024 levels ended up around 17" higher than 2012. (Courtesy of Marvin Forbragd)	A small earthen dam on Sullivan Lake in Lake County failed, draining the small lake. This was analyzed to have not been a significant contribution to the overall flood levels on the Cloquet River. (Courtesy of St. Louis County Emergency Mgmt)	Washout on State Highway 13 in northern Bayfield County. (Courtesy of Bayfield County Highway Department)	Washout along the Mesabi Trail near Biwabik, MN. (Courtesy of St. Louis County Emergency Management)

Loop showing difference in Littlefork River inundation between June 12 and June 19 in an area upstream of Cook, MN. (Courtesy of EO Browser)	Floodwaters around a moose statue outside of the Cook Public Library in Cook, MN. (NWS Duluth)	Heavy rains over the Apostle Islands led a creek on Stockton Island to washout a trail into Quarry Bay. (Courtesy Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Park Service)	High water on Namakan/Kabetogama Lakes led to submerged docks in July, after floodwaters made it through the Rainy River Basin. (Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park)

Severe Weather


Funnel Cloud over Moose Lake in the BWCA. (Courtesy of Tim Cigar)	A brief waterspout over Lake Superior was observed just off shore from Tofte, MN. (Courtesy of Connie Kirvida)	Wind damaged trees near Boy River, MN. (Courtesy of Lance Christenson)	Aerial footage of pocket of wind damage in the Superior National Forest. (Courtesy of Superior National Forest, via Flickr)

Radar and Products Issued

Radar


2:05 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Tornado Warnings in red, severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	3:04 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Tornado Warnings in red, severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	4:01 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	5:05 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green, Special Marine Warning in teal) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.


6:04 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Flash flood warnings in green and Special Marine Warning in teal) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	7:06 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green, Special Marine Warning in teal) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	8:02 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Flash flood warnings in green and Special Marine Warning in teal) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	9:03 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Flash flood warnings in green) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.


10:04 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Flash flood warnings in green) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	11:02 PM CT June 18, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	12:01 AM CT June 19, 2024, radar reflectivity imagery showing storms and in-effect hazards (Severe thunderstorms in yellow, flash flood warnings in green, Special Marine Warning in teal) from the KDLH WSR-88D radar 0.2 degree slice.	Loop of radar reflectivity from early Tuesday, June 18th, morning through early Wednesday, June 19th. Severe thunderstorm, flash flood, and tornado warnings plotted in real time.

Products Issued


Timeline of Watch, Warning and Advisory products issued for both severe thunderstorms (Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings and Special Weather Statements) and flooding (flash and areal flooding) on June 18, 2024.	Map of storm based warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Tornado, and Special Marine) issued by NWS Duluth June 18 - June 19, 2024	Top 10 days for most flash flood warnings in the period 12z-12z (7am to 7am during the summer). This event ranks as the 3rd highest number of flash flood warnings issued by NWS Duluth, for the period beginning in 1990.

Storm Reports

Flooding and Flash Flooding Reports for Tuesday, June 18 and the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Report Time (Local Time)	County	Location	State	Event Type	Mag.	Source	Remark
2024/06/18 23:00	Bayfield	Bayfield	WI	FLASH FLOOD		Law Enforcement	Flooding and road washouts in the city of Bayfield.
2024/06/19 00:00	Bayfield	Red Cliff	WI	FLASH FLOOD		Law Enforcement	Flooding at State Highway 13 and Blueberry Road.
2024/06/18 18:28	Cass	4 WSW Longville	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Water over road near Tims Auto Repair. Water is halfway up car tires near edge of flooded road.
2024/06/18 14:30	Cass	1 S Brevik	MN	TSTM WND DMG		Emergency Mngr	Several trees snapped. One a large pine at least several feet in diameter snapped near the ground. Time estimated from radar.
2024/06/18 14:50	Cass	3 NE Brevik	MN	TSTM WND DMG		Trained Spotter	Trained spotter reports widespread tree damage, large white pine branches tossed, and power out. Location estimated.
2024/06/18 20:30	Cook	4 ENE Lutsen	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Video shared via social media of flash flooding affecting Highway 61 east of Lutsen, with Highway 61 flooded in multiple locations. Time estimated.
2024/06/18 20:43	Cook	3 NE Tofte	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	A small creek flowing between two houses outside of its banks, flowing downhill.
2024/06/18 12:54	Itasca	1 S Nashwauk	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... river or creek overflowing, cropland, yard, or basement Flooding.
2024/06/18 15:30	Itasca	1 S Grand Rapids	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Video of water over the road. Looks like 3 to 6 inches over 2nd Ave. SE.
2024/06/18 17:25	Itasca	6 SSE Marcell	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Per MNDOT. flooding on road between county highway 28 and Forest Road 2373.
2024/06/18 18:53	Itasca	Coleraine	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... river or creek overflowing, cropland, yard, or basement Flooding.
2024/06/18 19:49	Itasca	3 SE Marcell	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Other Federal	Per MNDOT report. Flooding between Polaris Road and North Star Road, about 15 miles west of Bigfork on Hwy 38.
2024/06/18 12:21	Itasca	1 SW La Prairie	MN	HAIL	0.75	Public	Report from mPING.
2024/06/18 12:36	Itasca	5 S Grand Rapids	MN	HAIL	1.25	Trained Spotter	Report via social media with photo.
2024/06/18 12:47	Itasca	5 S Grand Rapids	MN	HAIL	1.25	Public	Report from mPING.
2024/06/18 15:45	Itasca	Calumet	MN	HAIL	1	Broadcast Media	Relayed report from viewer with photo.
2024/06/18 07:05	Itasca	1 NE Grand Rapids	MN	TSTM WND DMG		Cocorahs	Birch tree snapped off 10 feet above the ground. This likely occurred with the first storm to go thru around 0330 this morning.
2024/06/18 18:30	Lake	4 E Winton	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... river or creek overflowing, cropland, yard, or basement Flooding.
2024/06/18 19:09	Lake	5 NE Little Marais	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING: Street/road flooding; Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
2024/06/18 20:25	Lake	1 NNW Finland	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Other Federal	Per MNDOT report. Flooding between White Pine Road and Riverside Drive northeast of Finland.
2024/06/18 21:35	Lake	5 NE Silver Bay	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Other Federal	Per MNDOT report. Flooding and debris on roadway on MN Hwy 61 between Outer Drive in Silver Bay and Happy Acres Drive 15 miles south of Grand Marais.
2024/06/18 17:30	LSZ141	3 ENE Tofte	MN	WATERSPOUT		Public	Webcam and a separate public cell phone video of what is likely a brief waterspout near Tofte on Lake Superior. Time and location estimated.
2024/06/18 14:32	St. Louis	Chisholm	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... river or creek overflowing, cropland, yard, or basement Flooding.
2024/06/18 15:00	St. Louis	3 E Side Lake	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Video via social media of 3 to 6 inches quickly flowing down County Road 766. Entire road covered with flowing water.
2024/06/18 15:29	St. Louis	8 NW Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report via social media with photo of water across County Road 949 at least 6 inches deep. Observer reports an additional 1.5 inches of rain in the last 40 minutes.
2024/06/18 16:00	St. Louis	9 WNW Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report with photo. 3 to 6 inches of water across County Road 77.
2024/06/18 16:04	St. Louis	7 NW Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Delivery driver reports multiple roads under water, including Nelson and Big Rock Roads.
2024/06/18 16:11	St. Louis	1 SW Ely	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Trained Spotter	Pattison St and 2nd Ave E, Ely MN; street flooding incl. water flowing out of storm drain.
2024/06/18 16:18	St. Louis	1 NNE Cook	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Amateur Radio	Vermillion Dr and County Road 115 under water and washing out.
2024/06/18 16:20	St. Louis	Cook	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Amateur Radio	Streets and yards in the city of Cook underwater. Low spots of Highway 24 underwater. Up to 6 to 12 inches of water across roads.
2024/06/18 16:20	St. Louis	3 NNE Cook	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Amateur Radio	Road under water and washing out just south of the golf course. Golf course also under water.
2024/06/18 16:20	St. Louis	7 W Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Trained Spotter	Hwy 1 between Tower and Cook had spots with water across the road and a spot with only one lane opened. There is also a spot on Hwy 22 that has water flowing across it. This spot is deeper. Observer lost power to their vehicle after hitting it.
2024/06/18 16:50	St. Louis	3 WSW Cook	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report via social media with photo. Roads entirely covered with 6 inches of water.
2024/06/18 17:05	St. Louis	Hibbing	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Video from social media. Streets covered completely with at least a foot of water, maybe more in deeper spots.
2024/06/18 17:10	St. Louis	1 NW Chisholm	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Trained Spotter	Significant curb to curb street flooding across Chisholm.
2024/06/18 17:16	St. Louis	1 S Hibbing	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Video from social media. Business Highway 169 covered completely with at least a foot of water, maybe more in deeper spots. Water up to the front steps of some homes.
2024/06/18 17:21	St. Louis	3 SSW Angora	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Per MNDOT. flooding on Minnesota Highway 53 at Hannula Road.
2024/06/18 17:25	St. Louis	1 SW Ely	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Photo from social media. East Pattison Road completely under a foot of water.
2024/06/18 17:40	St. Louis	7 SW Shermans Corner	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	A few inches of water over residential gravel road.
2024/06/18 17:42	St. Louis	5 E Angora	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Per MNDOT. flooding on Minnesota Highway 1 in both directions between Brown Road and County Road 361.
2024/06/18 17:52	St. Louis	2 ENE Angora	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Per MNDOT. flooding on Minnesota Highway 1 in both directions. between Sassas Road and Brown Road.
2024/06/18 17:56	St. Louis	7 E Side Lake	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Per MNDOT. flooding on Minnesota Highway 73 between Forest Road 272 and Osborn Road.
2024/06/18 18:00	St. Louis	8 WNW Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report via social media with video. Breezy Point road complete washout. At least 8 feet across.
2024/06/18 18:27	St. Louis	2 SSE Hibbing	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Roads covered in water from church to car wash.
2024/06/18 18:28	St. Louis	1 ESE Gilbert	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Highway 135 flooded between MN 37 and Heritage Trail.
2024/06/18 19:04	St. Louis	2 E Mountain Iron	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Water in yard covering driveway and backed up to buildings for a couple houses in this area.
2024/06/18 19:06	St. Louis	2 SSE Hibbing	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Water in resident driveway. Reporter mentioned that water came up to the top of their rain boots.
2024/06/18 19:18	St. Louis	6 SW Tower	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Per MNDOT report. Flooding between Karjala Road and Koski Road.
2024/06/18 19:24	St. Louis	Floodwood	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... street or road flooding, street or road closed, vehicles stranded.
2024/06/18 19:34	St. Louis	Celina	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Per MNDOT report. Flooding between MN Hwy 65 and US Hwy 53 on MN Hwy 1.
2024/06/18 19:48	St. Louis	1 ESE Gilbert	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Flooding on Minnesota Highway 135 just east of Gilbert.
2024/06/18 20:15	St. Louis	2 NE Duluth	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Public video of flash flood waters flooding a sidewalk close to a home/apartment building and nearby road. Water appears at least 6 inches deep and is flowing fast. Time estimated.
2024/06/18 20:30	St. Louis	1 ENE Duluth	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Social media video shared by news source of flash flooding in the I-35 tunnel. Time estimated.
2024/06/18 20:45	St. Louis	2 NE Duluth	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Dept of Highways	Webcam imagery of flash flooding causing flooding in the I-35 tunnel near 10th Ave E. Time estimated.
2024/06/18 21:00	St. Louis	2 NE Duluth	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	News video showing flood waters flowing across a road and yard near Portland Manor on corner of E. 4th street and 9th Ave E. Time estimated.
2024/06/18 21:02	St. Louis	3 S Rice Lake	MN	FLASH FLOOD		Public	Report from mPING. One or more of following... river or creek overflowing, cropland, yard, or basement Flooding.
2024/06/18 15:25	St. Louis	15 N Robinson	MN	FUNNEL CLOUD		Public	Report via social media with photo. Funnel cloud seen looking NW from Moose Lake in the BWCA. Persisted for roughly 2-3 minutes. Time approximate from reporter.
2024/06/18 13:14	St. Louis	Chisholm	MN	HAIL	0.5	Public	Report from mPING.
2024/06/18 13:34	St. Louis	8 NW Tower	MN	HAIL	0.75	Public	Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).

Rain Reports

The highest bullseyes of heavy rain saw up to 5-8 inches of rain, with a widespread 3"+ across the Northland. Much of this rain fell in a 6-8 hour period. The heaviest rain was analyzed as 500-1000 year rainfalls, or more. This rain fell on top of already saturated soils from a wet spring and June. Rainfall rates of 2.5"/hour were observed, and rates as high as 3-4"/hour were estimated by radar.


6 Hour Recurrence Intervals. 500 to 1000 year rainfalls have a 0.1-0.2% chance of happening in a given year.	7 Day Rainfall Accumulations and percent of normal	24 Hour Rainfall totals	6 hour total rainfall data from a weighing rain gauge near Wales, MN shows how fast rain accumulated in the afternoon/evening of the 18th.

24 Hour Rainfall Reports for Tuesday, June 18 and the early morning
hours of Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Location                     Amount    Time/Date       Provider             

...Minnesota...

...Aitkin County...
Hill City 0.9 N              2.27 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Carlton County...
Carlton 6.0 SW               2.84 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Cloquet 5.7 SW               2.66 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Cloquet 2.1 ESE              2.64 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Wrenshall                    2.46 in   0800 AM 06/19   UCOOP                
Cloquet 3.4 ENE              2.30 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Moose Lake 0.6 SW            2.05 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Cass County...
Pine River 8.4 N             3.00 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Outing 2.9 ENE               2.92 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Longville 4.5 SW             2.56 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Cass Lake                    2.40 in   0800 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Remer 11.5 WSW               2.28 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Remer 8.8 SW                 2.07 in   0653 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Federal Dam 3.8 NNW          2.05 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Federal Dam 0.3 S            2.05 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Walker Community Center      2.01 in   0700 AM 06/19   COOP                 

...Cook County...
Tofte 4.9 NE                 5.44 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Tofte 2.1 NE                 5.30 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Lutsen 11.8 N                4.05 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 4.4 W           3.21 in   0630 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 4.4 WSW         2.96 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 0.3 SW          2.90 in   0548 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Seagull Lake RAWS            2.77 in   0904 AM 06/19   RAWS                 
Grand Marais 3.8 NNE         2.75 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 2.0 E           2.70 in   0630 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 22.2 NNW        2.53 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
3 E Sea Gull Lake            2.51 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
3.7 NE Sea Gull Lake         2.38 in   0700 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Hovland 2.8 WNW              2.38 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 11.6 ENE        2.37 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 30.5 NW         2.34 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Marais 17.6 NNE        2.10 in   0900 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Hovland 0.1 NE               2.02 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Crow Wing County...
Cross Lake Dam               4.38 in   0815 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Pequot Lakes 1.6 NNE         4.20 in   0843 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Pequot Lakes 3.2 N           2.56 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Breezy Point 1.2 NE          2.47 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Breezy Point 0.9 WNW         2.34 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Aitkin 8.4 NW                2.31 in   0500 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Breezy Point 1.0 SW          2.26 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Breezy Point 0.9 W           2.23 in   0705 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Pequot Lakes 1.5 NW          2.20 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Itasca County...
Marble 0.6 SSW               7.30 in   0640 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Keewatin 0.2 SSE             4.54 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Side Lake 2.3 W              4.06 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Cohasset 7.4 S               3.87 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Bovey 3.5 S                  3.85 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Sugar Lake                   3.62 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 6.2 SSW         3.61 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 1.5 SSE         3.58 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Deer River 3.7 W             3.55 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Marcell 0.7 NNW              3.49 in   0830 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 2.3 SW          3.41 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 0.7 SSE         3.34 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Coleraine 0.7 S              3.16 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
5 S La Prairie               3.11 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Warba 2.2 NNW                3.10 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 7.4 S           3.04 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 5.2 SSE         2.82 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 12 N            2.75 in   0630 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Grand Rapids 10.5 SE         2.71 in   0530 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Bovey 13.4 N                 2.63 in   0630 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 6.1 N           2.60 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Swan River 3 W               2.60 in   0800 AM 06/19   UCOOP                
Grand Rapids 6.1 SSE         2.54 in   0847 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
3.8 S Swan River             2.44 in   0845 AM 06/19   HADS                 
Cohasset 7.6 NNW             2.31 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Grand Rapids 5.0 N           2.20 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Lake County...
Two Harbors 19.8 N           7.33 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Silver Bay                   6.02 in   0700 AM 06/19   UCOOP                
Isabella RAWS                5.50 in   0904 AM 06/19   RAWS                 
Wolf Ridge                   5.32 in   0700 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Tettegouche State Park       5.02 in   0830 AM 06/19   UCOOP                
Silver Bay 0.4 W             4.85 in   0653 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Isabella 12.3 WNW            4.71 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
1 NNE Winton                 4.50 in   0530 AM 06/19   Trained Spotter      
Silver Bay 0.3 WSW           4.34 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 8.1 SE                   3.70 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 5.8 ENE                  3.02 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 25 E                     2.94 in   0655 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Two Harbors 8.0 NE           2.91 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Winton 2.3 ENE               2.83 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 12.3 NE          2.74 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 9.7 NNE          2.63 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 10.8 NE          2.63 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 3.6 WNW          2.56 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 4.4 NW           2.42 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
7 NNW Two Harbors            2.40 in   0700 AM 06/19   CO-OP Observer       
Two Harbors 2.1 NW           2.34 in   0709 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Two Harbors 2.0 ENE          2.30 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...St. Louis County...
Tower 8.3 NW                 7.60 in   0845 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Hoyt Lakes 3.1 SSW           6.17 in   0805 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Chisholm 3.6 NW              5.38 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Hoyt Lakes 3.0 SSW           5.20 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Brimson 2 S                  5.18 in   0700 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Cloquet River nr Brimson     5.18 in   0845 AM 06/19   HADS                 
Cook 8NE                     5.10 in   0500 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Biwabik 2.2 NE               4.96 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Chisholm 0.5 NW              4.91 in   0630 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Chisholm 0.7 NW              4.72 in   0630 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Superior Qd No. 2            4.65 in   0839 AM 06/19   RAWS                 
Chisholm 0.4 WSW             4.63 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Babbitt 4.4 N                4.62 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
3.8 S Tower                  4.60 in   0730 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Aurora 0.6 WSW               4.40 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 6.3 NNW                  4.37 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Side Lake 2.0 SW             4.36 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Embarrass                    4.33 in   0600 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Ely 6.0 NNW                  4.33 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Biwabik 2.9 NNE              4.29 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Celina 2 E                   4.22 in   0900 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Cook 6.0 N                   4.20 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Aurora 7.4 S                 4.18 in   0728 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Embarrass 2.3 NNE            4.15 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Hibbing 11.6 SSW             3.78 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Side Lake 3.4 NW             3.74 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Mountain Iron 2.0 ESE        3.57 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Orr 3 E                      3.42 in   0600 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Eveleth 5.2 S                3.30 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Virginia 2.2 NW              3.30 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 6.4 SSW                  3.29 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Buhl 0.8 SSW                 3.12 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Hibbing 2.1 NNE              3.11 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
1.3 S Buyck                  3.05 in   0845 AM 06/19   HADS                 
4 S Winton                   3.03 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 1.8 SSW                  2.93 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Cotton 5.7 ESE               2.93 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 2.0 NNE               2.84 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 1.9 NNE               2.84 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 2.0 NNE               2.75 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Aurora 16.8 S                2.75 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
11 NE Island Lake            2.73 in   0700 AM 06/19   Trained Spotter      
Duluth 1.7 NNE               2.65 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 3.0 NE                2.63 in   0615 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 4.6 NE                2.62 in   0740 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 3.3 NNE               2.60 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Canyon 4.6 NNE               2.58 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 3.6 NE                2.55 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 2.2 WNW               2.49 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 12.9 NE               2.48 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 13.1 NNE              2.47 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 17.6 NNW              2.45 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely                          2.45 in   0743 AM 06/19   Public               
Cotton                       2.45 in   0800 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Duluth 6.0 NE                2.41 in   0550 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 4.8 NNE               2.40 in   0635 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 7.4 N                 2.33 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 6.9 NNE               2.33 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 4.3 NE                2.32 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 2.7 NE                2.32 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth                       2.31 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
5 NNW Knife River            2.30 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Knife River 1.8 N            2.29 in   0520 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 5.6 NE                2.28 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 17.6 NNW              2.27 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 2.3 NNE               2.22 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Ely 2.2 S                    2.20 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 6.3 NE                2.20 in   0900 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
NWS Duluth                   2.12 in   0700 AM 06/19   COOP                 
Duluth 9.6 SW                2.09 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 15.4 NNW              2.08 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 1.0 SE                2.04 in   0900 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Duluth 5.3 NNE               2.03 in   0800 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             

...Wisconsin...

...Bayfield County...
3 SSW Cornucopia             4.25 in   0445 AM 06/19   Trained Spotter      
Bayfield 2.6 WSW             3.16 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Bayfield 1.2 N               3.12 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
4 SSE Herbster               3.10 in   0600 AM 06/19   Trained Spotter      
Herbster 2.8 NE              2.95 in   0605 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Bayfield Fish Hatchery       2.82 in   0800 AM 06/19   COOP                 
1 E Port Wing                2.78 in   0600 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Bayfield 1.7 SW              2.47 in   0700 AM 06/19   COCORAHS             
Washburn 3.7 NW              2.21 in   0720 AM 06/19   COCORAHS

Environment

Synoptic summary.


Figure 1: Surface analysis from June 18, 2024, at 4 PM CT shows a stationary front draped from north to south over Minnesota, with much of the Northland under deep and moist southerly flow in the low-levels of the atmosphere.	Figure 2: 10 PM CT surface analysis shows that stationary front moving eastward to the MN/WI border and into the Arrowhead as a cold front drops southeastward from Manitoba.	Figure 3: 3 AM CT June 19 surface analysis shows that stationary front moving out of the Northland and into north-central Wisconsin as the cold front now in northwest Ontario drops into north-central Minnesota.

Near-storm environment summary.


Figure 4: Deep low-level atmospheric southerly flow transported a very moist airmass into the Northland during the daylight hours of June 18, 2024. Seen here on the SPC RAP Mesoanalysis image showing 850 mb moisture transportation and precipitable water values for June 18, 2024, at 4 PM CT.	Figure 5: 7 PM SPC RAP Mesoanalysis showing that deep and very moist airmass can be seen best in eastern Minnesota with precipitable water values of 1.9 to 2.0 inches, with a drier airmass following the cold front to the northwest dropping into northwest Minnesota.	Figure 6: 10 PM SPC RAP Mesoanalysis showing the most moist layer over northwest Wisconsin by late evening hours of Tuesday, June 18, when flash flooding was reported on the Bayfield Peninsula. The much drier airmass now pushes into north-central Minnesota.

Additional environmental data.


Figure 7: Observed upper-air sounding from International Falls, Minnesota, at 9 AM CT on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, showing moisture building into the mid-levels of the atmosphere out ahead of the deep southerly flow that sets up in the later daylight hours on Tuesday.	Figure 8: 7 PM June 18 observed upper-air sounding from International Falls, MN, showing the saturated atmosphere at nearly every layer except a dry slot around 700 mb up to about 550 mb.	Figure 9: 1 PM CT June 18 observed upper-air sounding from Chanhassen, MN showing that very deep and moist (observed precipitable water value of 1.91 inches) that eventually worked into the Northland over the next few hours. Of note is also the high DCAPE (1250 J/kg) values supporting damaging wind gusts that occurred within the Arrowhead and Superior National Forest and the Mixed Layer CAPE values around 2000 J/kg and effective inflow SRH of 388 aiding in priming an environment which resulted in 5 Tornado Warnings also being issued for this day.


Figure 10: The Weather Prediction Center in College Park, MD issued a Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion talking about flash flood conditions in the evening of June 18, 2024.	Figure 11: The National Water Center in issued an Area Hydrologic Discussion talking about rapid onset flooding expected from heavy rainfall in the evening of June 18, 2024.