The image above shows all the tornadoes that occurred on September 20. Each triangle does not indicate a new tornado, just a damage point. The circles indicate wind damage. The polygons are the tornado tracks. Zoomed in images will be available for each tornado in the coming days as the website is updated.
Public Information Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 413 PM CDT Fri Sep 28 2018 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 09/20/2018 TORNADO EVENT - UPDATE 2... ...TORNADO COUNT STANDS AT 16... .Update...Following several ground surveys; utilizing high resolution satellite and radar imagery; speaking with local officials, trained spotters, and the general public; and drone and aerial footage it appears there were 16 tornadoes from southern to eastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin on September 20 2018. This information may be updated as new data becomes available. The difficulty with surveying this event was due in part to many potential tornado tracks amongst widespread wind damage. Since the storms were racing east northeastward around 65 mph, many of the typical indicators for differentiating tornado versus straight line wind damage were not available (e.g. debris deposited westward), particularly across Rice County. Instead, there were areas of enhanced damage on the southern end of the tornado track, with little damage to the north. Most of the damage was to trees, although there were pockets of significant structural damage. Survey teams received numerous accounts of survivors seeking shelter immediately after receiving the Tornado Warning via a Wireless Emergency Alert notification. Some of these people later had their house or other structure significantly damaged or destroyed. It is of the opinion of the surveyors that this was one big factor for the lack of fatalities or injuries. The NWS would like to thank all the spotters, local officials, broadcast television, local media, volunteer and media drone operators, and citizens that contributed to the sharing of information before, during, and after the event. Overall, there were six EF0s, nine EF1s, and one EF2. .Granada, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 95 to 105 mph Path length /Statute/: 6.5 miles Path width /Maximum/: 220 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 552 PM CDT Start location: 1 N Granada Start Lat/Lon: 43.6981 / -94.3531 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 559 PM CDT End location: 7 NE Blue Earth End_lat/lon: 43.7095 / -94.2240 Video and ground survey confirmed a tornado just north of Granada which tracked to the east. .Lake Elysian, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 95 to 105 mph Path length /Statute/: 6.8 miles Path width /Maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 619 PM CDT Start location: 3 NE Janesville MN Start Lat/Lon: 44.1428 / -93.7562 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 624 PM CDT End location: 2 ESE Elysian End_lat/lon: 44.1916 / -93.6449 Ground survey and radar data confirmed tornado along the southeast shore of Lake Elysian. .Janesville, MN (east) Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 65 to 75 mph Path length /Statute/: 0.8 miles Path width /Maximum/: 20 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 622 PM CDT Start location: 5 E Janesville Start Lat/Lon: 44.1186 / -93.6027 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 623 PM CDT End location: 6 E Janesville End_lat/lon: 44.1243 / -93.5902 Satellite data and ground survey confirmed narrow track through corn east of Janesville. .Owatonna, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 95 to 105 mph Path length /Statute/: 27.0 miles Path width /Maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 623 PM CDT Start location: 2 N Waldorf Start Lat/Lon: 43.9609 / -93.6973 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 642 PM CDT End location: 3 E Owatonna End_lat/lon: 44.0879 / -93.1786 Satellite data and ground survey confirmed tornado that formed north of Waldorf and tracked through Owatonna before dissipating east of town. .Waterville, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 90 to 100 mph Path length /Statute/: 7.7 miles Path width /Maximum/: 500 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 626 PM CDT Start location: 2 SW Waterville Start Lat/Lon: 44.2106 / -93.5927 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 632 PM CDT End location: 1 SW Caron Lake End_lat/lon: 44.2838 / -93.4849 Radar data, ground survey, and cell phone video confirmed tornado through Waterville MN. Most of the damage on Upper Sakatah Lake was from storm inflow accelerating across the water and damaging the trees and structures along the north shoreline. .Medford, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 100 to 110 mph Path length /Statute/: 27.8 miles Path width /Maximum/: 500 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 630 PM CDT Start location: 1 E Waseca Start Lat/Lon: 44.0804 / -93.4741 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 652 PM CDT End location: 2 SE Nerstrand End_lat/lon: 44.3127 / -93.0205 Satellite imagery, radar, and ground survey confirmed tornado from just east of Waseca through northern Medford and ending near Nerstrand. Several farmsteads were heavily damaged or destroyed. .Morristown/Faribault, MN Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated peak wind: 120 to 130 mph Path length /Statute/: 25.8 miles Path width /Maximum/: 1000 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 632 PM CDT Start location: Morristown Start Lat/Lon: 44.2202 / -93.4400 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 654 PM CDT End location: 2 N Dennison End_lat/lon: 44.4408 / -93.0219 This was the strongest of all the tornadoes. Winds of 120 to 130 mph hit southern Morristown and destroyed several homes. This tornado continued through northern Faribault and destroyed several buildings at the airport. The path beyond Faribault is more uncertain with widespread wind damage and other potential tracks complicating the survey. .Faribault, MN (west & north) Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 90 to 100 mph Path length /Statute/: 7.7 miles Path width /Maximum/: 400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 638 PM CDT Start location: Cedar Lake Start Lat/Lon: 44.3067 / -93.4033 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 644 PM CDT End location: 4 N Faribault End_lat/lon: 44.3658 / -93.2875 Another area of enhanced damage occurred from Cedar Lake up through north of Faribault. Radar showed and area of broad rotation from Faribault up through Northfield. .Dundas, MN (south) Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 85 to 95 mph Path length /Statute/: 14.3 miles Path width /Maximum/: 400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 643 PM CDT Start location: 5 N Faribault Start Lat/Lon: 44.3873 / -93.2934 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 657 PM CDT End location: 2 N Dennison End_lat/lon: 44.4431 / -93.0384 Another area of enhanced damage north of Faribault. Radar showed an area of broad rotation from Faribault up through Northfield. Storm survey indicated rotation and tornadic damage, but this was complicated by the widespread wind damage and potential for multiple circulations. .Dundas, MN Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 70 to 80 mph Path length /Statute/: 3.8 miles Path width /Maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 648 PM CDT Start location: 3 SW Dundas Start Lat/Lon: 44.4088 / -93.2603 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 650 PM CDT End location: Dundas End_lat/lon: 44.4318 / -93.1945 Radar showed two brief couplets forming southwest of Dundas. Storm survey indicated rotation and tornadic damage, but this was complicated by the widespread wind damage and potential for multiple circulations. .Northfield, MN Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 100 to 110 mph Path length /Statute/: 8.9 miles Path width /Maximum/: 400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 653 PM CDT Start location: 2 E Northfield Start Lat/Lon: 44.4583 / -93.1291 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 701 PM CDT End location: 2 S Lake Byllesby End_lat/lon: 44.4821 / -92.9548 Higher end damage along a concentrated path south of Hwy 19. Radar showed an area of broad rotation. .Wanamingo/Zumbrota, MN Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 70 to 80 mph Path length /Statute/: 19.4 miles Path width /Maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 656 PM CDT Start location: 6 SW Wanamingo Start Lat/Lon: 44.2672 / -92.9006 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 715 PM CDT End location: 2 SW Bellechester End_lat/lon: 44.3690 / -92.5344 Satellite, radar data, and ground survey confirmed 10 mile track south of Wanamingo. Most of the damage was in the corn field. .Cannon Falls, MN (south) Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated peak wind: 85 to 95 mph Path length /Statute/: 1.7 miles Path width /Maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 701 PM CDT Start location: 3 S Cannon Falls Start Lat/Lon: 44.4777 / -92.9197 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 703 PM CDT End location: 1 S Cannon Falls End_lat/lon: 44.4962 / -92.9031 Storm survey showed brief track in southern Cannon Falls. .Cannon Falls, MN (north) Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 70 to 80 mph Path length /Statute/: 3.5 miles Path width /Maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 702 PM CDT Start location: 4 NW Cannon Falls Start Lat/Lon: 44.5419 / -92.9688 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 705 PM CDT End location: 2 N Cannon Falls End_lat/lon: 44.5351 / -92.9076 Satellite data showed narrow track northwest of town, and ground survey confirmed damage near Hwy 20 north of town. .Prairie Island, MN to Diamond Bluff, WI Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 65 to 75 mph Path length /Statute/: 3.9 miles Path width /Maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 717 PM CDT Start location: Prairie Island Start Lat/Lon: 44.6337 / -92.6776 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 720 PM CDT End location: 1 SE Diamond Bluff End_lat/lon: 44.6445 / -92.6100 Storm survey identified brief area of tornadic damage near Prairie Island across the Mississippi River to south of Diamond Bluff. .Ellsworth, WI Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated peak wind: 70 to 80 mph Path length /Statute/: 1.7 miles Path width /Maximum/: 25 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: Sep_20_2018 Start time: 726 PM CDT Start location: 1 E Ellsworth Start Lat/Lon: 44.7328 / -92.4720 End date: Sep_20_2018 End time: 728 PM CDT End location: 2 NE Ellsworth End_lat/lon: 44.7470 / -92.4489 SURVEY_SUMMARY: NWS Twin Cities utilized radar data, cell phone and drone video, ground survey information, satellite imagery, and spotter reports to classify the damage. Areas near Faribault, Northfield, and Cannon Falls were the most uncertain. This information will continue to be modified as new data becomes available. EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories. EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 To 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is PRELIMINARY and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ NWS Twin Cities
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