Severe Thunderstorms of June 22-23, 2010

Radar Imagery Damage Photos Damage Reports Rainfall Totals

After a mostly sunny afternoon across the region on Tuesday June 22nd, which allow abundant heat and humidity to build and move northward into the area from the south, a large area of thunderstorms developed Tuesday evening.  The thunderstorms began as a cluster over northwest Iowa and slowly drifted northeast and grew in intensity. Some tornadoes were reported over northern Iowa early in the evening, before widespread thunderstorms broke out after 10 pm along the Minnesota-Iowa border, eventually spreading east into Wisconsin. Very heavy rain with amounts locally up to nearly 4 inches, and sporadic wind damage and an isolated tornado occurred overnight. Incredible lightning was seen regionally, with over 11,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes between 2 and 3 a.m (Graphic: each "+" or "-" indicates a lightning strike). These storms continued across northern Iowa, far southern Minnesota, and into western Wisconsin during the early morning hours of June 23rd.

Worst hit areas include:

  • East of Sumner, IA - Estimated 90 mph straight-line winds damaged outbuildings, trees, and power lines.  Surveyed by NWS Des Moines.
  • North of Aurora, IA - Estimated 70-90 mph straight-line (downburst) winds damaged trees and buildings.  Surveyed by NWS Des Moines.

Tornado Information:

  • 3:22 a.m. - 3:26 a.m. CDT (time estimated off radar)
  • Rated EF0 with winds estimated from 75-85 mph
  • From 2 miles northeast Gays Mills to 5 miles east-northeast of Gays Mills (3.5 miles long)
  • Maximum width = 25 yards
  • Damage to numerous trees and one outbuilding (Pictures!)

Image of EF0 tornado track

 

Map showing warnings from June 23

 Watches included a Flash Flood Watch, 2 Severe Thunderstorm Watches, and a Tornado Watch during the overnight hours with numerous warnings. Green outlines are Flash Flood Warnings while Yellow outlines designate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. (Click on image to enlarge)

 

Additional information and maps will be added to this page as time allows and damage surveys are completed.

Radar Imagery

Doppler Radar Loop from 8 p.m. June 22 through 7 a.m. June 23 (images every 30-min)

radar loop from storms

Click For Regional View (radar loop)

Storm-relative wind image showing tight rotation on radar at 3:22 a.m. CDT just north of Gays Mills, WI. Green and red colors near each other signify tight rotation in the storm. The tornado then tracked nearly straight east.

Damage Photos

Images are from thunderstorm wind or "downbursts" in extreme southern Fayette County, IA (north of Aurora, IA).

Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA
Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA Damage picture near Aurora IA
Damage picture near Aurora IA        

Damage images below are from the EF0 tornado northeast of Gays Mills.  Winds were estimated in the 75-85 mph range.

Damage picture near Gays Mills WI Damage picture near Gays Mills WI Damage picture near Gays Mills WI Damage picture near Gays Mills WI Damage picture near Gays Mills WI

Storm Reports from June 22-23, 2010

 PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
1019 AM CDT WED JUN 23 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1205 AM     HEAVY RAIN       AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W
06/23/2010  M1.48 INCH       MOWER              MN   MESONET

            MINOR FLOODING REPORTED AROUND PARTS OF THE CITY.

0225 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 NNW WESTGATE          42.84N 92.03W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SEVERAL OUTBUILDINGS DAMAGED INCLUDING NEW GRAIN BIN

0228 AM     TSTM WND DMG     8 SW HAWKEYE            42.86N 92.06W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREE DOWN...WINDOWS BROKEN...PROPANE LEAK AT RESIDENCE.

0228 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 E WESTGATE            42.77N 91.96W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREE DOWN...WINDOWS BROKEN...PROPANE LEAK AT A RESIDENCE.


0228 AM     TSTM WND DMG     8 SW HAWKEYE            42.85N 92.05W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN...WINDOWS BROKEN...PROPANE LEAK AT RESIDENCE.

0250 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NW ARLINGTON          42.77N 91.70W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   BROADCAST MEDIA

            2 HOG CONFINEMENT BUILDINGS WITH ROOFS CAVED IN ON 45/G.
            AVENUE. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

0253 AM     TSTM WND DMG     7 E OELWEIN             42.68N 91.78W
06/23/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   COUNTY OFFICIAL

            PATH OF DAMAGE BETWEEN E AVE AND I AVE JUST SOUTH OF 20TH
            STREET. MANY TREES...POWER LINES AND BUILDINGS DAMAGED.
            POSSIBLE TORNADO. WILL BE SURVEYED TODAY.

0330 AM     TSTM WND GST     WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W
06/23/2010  E45.00 MPH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0335 AM     TSTM WND DMG     ROLLING GROUND          43.33N 90.73W
06/23/2010                   CRAWFORD           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SHED BLOWN DOWN. SHEET METAL BLOWN QUARTER MILE.

0345 AM     HEAVY RAIN       AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W
06/23/2010  M2.60 INCH       MOWER              MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

            RAINFALL AMOUNT OVER LAST 6 HOURS.

0345 AM     TSTM WND DMG     READSTOWN               43.45N 90.76W
06/23/2010                   VERNON             WI   PUBLIC

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN ADDITION TO 2.65 INCHES OF RAIN.

0412 AM     TSTM WND GST     DICKEYVILLE             42.63N 90.59W
06/23/2010  M45.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

0415 AM     FLASH FLOOD      RENO                    43.60N 91.28W
06/23/2010                   HOUSTON            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            MUDSLIDES REPORTED OVER HIGHWAY 26. TIME ESTIMATED.

0420 AM     TSTM WND GST     HAZEL GREEN             42.53N 90.44W
06/23/2010  M50.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

0420 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 S DICKEYVILLE         42.61N 90.59W
06/23/2010                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ACROSS WEST LANE

0450 AM     FLOOD            3 N STODDARD            43.70N 91.22W
06/23/2010                   VERNON             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            EROSION AND DEBRIS ON SOME ROADS. PONDING OF WATER IN
            MANY LOCATIONS.

0546 AM     FLASH FLOOD      3 N RICHLAND CENTER     43.38N 90.38W
06/23/2010                   RICHLAND           WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORTS OF NUMEROUS LANDSLIDES ACROSS RICHLAND
            COUNTY...ALONG HIGHWAY AS WELL AS HIGHWAY 171

0700 AM     FLASH FLOOD      3 E VIOLA               43.51N 90.61W
06/23/2010                   RICHLAND           WI   BROADCAST MEDIA

            WATER OVER COUNTY ROAD MM NEAR INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY
            56. CELL PHONE IMAGE SENT IN VIA BROADCAST MEDIA.

0826 AM     FLOOD            CHASEBURG               43.65N 91.10W
06/23/2010                   VERNON             WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

            WATER FLOODING HIGHWAY 162. ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.

Rainfall Totals from June 22-23, 2010

rainfall total graphic

 Graphic showing 24-hour rainfall totals. (Click on image to enlarge)

Estimated rainfall graphic

 Graphic showing estimated rainfall by NWS La Crosse Doppler Radar (KARX).  Orange areas are estimations over three inches but generally the radar underestimated the rain.  (Click on image to enlarge)

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
942 AM CDT WED JUN 23 2010

...24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE AREA...
...JUNE 23 2010...

LOCATION                   RAINFALL    TIME     LAT/LON

IOWA

...ALLAMAKEE COUNTY...
LANSING 4SE                1.77        0730 AM
DORCHESTER HIGHWAY 76      1.50        0700 AM  43.42N 91.51W
WAUKON                     1.09        0700 AM  43.27N 91.47W
HARPERS FERRY              0.75        0700 AM  43.17N 91.24W
ION                        0.75        0700 AM  43.11N 91.27W

...CHICKASAW COUNTY...
NEW HAMPTON                2.30        0700 AM  43.06N 92.31W
IONIA                      1.67        0700 AM  43.03N 92.50W

...CLAYTON COUNTY...
VOLGA                      1.01        0700 AM  42.81N 91.52W
GUTTENBERG                 0.87        0700 AM  42.79N 91.10W
LITTLEPORT                 0.70        0700 AM  42.75N 91.37W
STRAWBERRY POINT           0.68        0700 AM  42.69N 91.53W
EDGEWOOD                   0.60        0800 AM
MARQUETTE                  0.50        0700 AM  43.04N 91.21W
GARBER                     0.44        0700 AM  42.74N 91.26W
MCGREGOR                   0.24        0700 AM  43.02N 91.17W
ELKADER                    0.09        0700 AM  42.84N 91.40W

...FAYETTE COUNTY...
ELDORADO                   0.98        0700 AM  43.05N 91.81W
FAYETTE                    0.66        0700 AM  42.85N 91.82W
OELWEIN AWOS               0.21        0700 AM  42.68N 91.97W

...FLOYD COUNTY...
CHARLES CITY COOP          2.13        0700 AM  43.08N 92.67W
CHARLES CITY CEDAR RVR     1.93        0700 AM  43.06N 92.67W
CHARLES CITY AWOS          1.85        0700 AM  43.07N 92.61W

...HOWARD COUNTY...
CRESCO 1NE                 1.75        0730 AM

...MITCHELL COUNTY...
STACYVILLE                 3.00        0800 AM
OSAGE                      2.60        0730 AM
RICEVILLE                  2.50        0730 AM

...WINNESHIEK COUNTY...
WAUCOMA                    1.42        0700 AM  43.05N 92.04W
DECORAH                    1.20        0700 AM  43.30N 91.80W
BLUFFTON                   1.19        0700 AM  43.41N 91.90W
CALMAR                     1.16        0700 AM  43.18N 91.87W
DECORAH 8ENE               1.08        0700 AM
DECORAH AWOS               1.07        0700 AM  43.28N 91.74W

MINNESOTA

...DODGE COUNTY...
MANTORVILLE                0.57        0700 AM  44.07N 92.77W
DODGE CENTER AWOS          0.55        0700 AM  44.03N 92.83W
CLAREMONT 3S               0.40        0745 AM

...FILLMORE COUNTY...
PETERSON 1S                2.39        0700 AM
HARMONY                    2.07        0750 AM
LANESBORO                  2.00        0700 AM  43.72N 91.97W
PRESTON                    1.79        0700 AM  43.67N 92.07W
HIGHLAND                   1.60        0730 AM
CARIMONA                   1.46        0700 AM  43.66N 92.15W
SPRING VALLEY 3E           1.29        0740 AM
PILOT MOUND                1.09        0700 AM  43.78N 92.03W
SPRING VALLEY              0.74        0700 AM  43.69N 92.39W

...HOUSTON COUNTY...
RENO                       3.71        0700 AM  43.60N 91.28W
CALEDONIA 6S               3.49        0730 AM
LA CRESCENT 1N             2.62        0730 AM
LA CRESCENT                2.60        0700 AM
HOUSTON                    2.49        0700 AM  43.77N 91.57W
MOUND PRAIRIE              2.30        0700 AM  43.78N 91.45W

...MOWER COUNTY...
LEROY                      3.20        0800 AM
AUSTIN KAAL TV             2.70        0800 AM
AUSTIN                     1.99        0700 AM  43.67N 92.95W
LYLE 2NE                   1.69        0800 AM
AUSTIN 3S                  1.24        0700 AM  43.62N 93.00W
AUSTIN AWOS                0.83        0700 AM  43.67N 92.93W
LANSING                    0.62        0700 AM  43.75N 92.95W

...OLMSTED COUNTY...
ROCHESTER INTL AP          1.73        0700 AM  43.91N 92.50W
DOVER                      1.24        0700 AM  44.01N 92.11W
ROCHESTER MAPLE VALLEY     1.17        0700 AM  44.02N 92.42W
ELBA                       0.88        0700 AM  44.05N 92.05W
ROCHESTER - CASCADE CREEK  0.52        0700 AM  44.03N 92.48W
ROCHESTER BELTLINE         0.52        0700 AM  43.91N 92.50W
ELGIN                      0.51        0700 AM  44.10N 92.27W
ROCHESTER - BEAR CREEK     0.45        0700 AM  43.92N 92.48W
ROCHESTER - SILVER CREEK   0.43        0700 AM  44.03N 92.42W

...WABASHA COUNTY...
WABASHA                    0.73        0700 AM  44.39N 92.05W
ZUMBRO FALLS               0.58        0700 AM  44.29N 92.42W
ELGIN 2SSW                 0.51        0800 AM
KELLOGG                    0.35        0700 AM  44.32N 92.00W

...WINONA COUNTY...
LA CRESCENT DAM 7          2.31        0700 AM  43.87N 91.31W
DAKOTA 5NW                 1.37        0700 AM
ST CHARLES 5N              1.01        0700 AM
WHITEWATER STATE PARK      0.95        0700 AM
WINONA                     0.45        0700 AM  44.09N 91.67W
MINNESOTA CITY             0.33        0700 AM  44.16N 91.81W
ALTURA                     0.31        0700 AM  44.15N 92.01W

WISCONSIN

...BUFFALO COUNTY...
ALMA DAM 4                 0.31        0700 AM  44.33N 91.92W

...CLARK COUNTY...
NEILLSVILLE 3SW            0.37        0700 AM  44.53N 90.64W
NEILLSVILLE                0.35        0700 AM  44.56N 90.61W

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
SOLDIERS GROVE             2.25        0800 AM
STEUBEN                    0.94        0700 AM  43.18N 90.87W
STEUBEN 4SE                0.70        0700 AM  43.13N 90.84W
LYNXVILLE DAM 9            0.58        0700 AM  43.21N 91.10W
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN           0.50        0700 AM  43.05N 91.13W
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS      0.40        0700 AM  43.30N 89.76W

...GRANT COUNTY...
BOSCOBEL ASOS              0.80        0700 AM  43.16N 90.68W
LANCASTER                  0.64        0745 AM
ROCKVILLE                  0.62        0700 AM  42.73N 90.64W

...JACKSON COUNTY...
TAYLOR                     1.24        0740 AM

...JUNEAU COUNTY...
CAMP DOUGLAS               0.67        0700 AM  43.94N 90.26W
NECEDAH 3SE                0.39        0800 AM
NECEDAH 5WNW               0.33        0700 AM  44.06N 90.17W
NECEDAH 1W                 0.31        0700 AM  44.02N 90.08W
NECEDAH 2SE                0.30        0700 AM  44.00N 90.04W

...LA CROSSE COUNTY...
LA CROSSE 5SE              2.66        0700 AM  43.77N 91.15W
LA CROSSE                  2.40        0700 AM  43.80N 91.37W
LA CROSSE 4N               1.99        0730 AM
LA CROSSE WEATHER          1.97        0700 AM  43.82N 91.19W
LA CROSSE ASOS             1.90        0700 AM  43.88N 91.26W
WEST SALEM                 1.72        0730 AM
ONALASKA 2N                1.48        0700 AM
HOLMEN 2S                  1.33        0700 AM  43.93N 91.25W
HOLLAND                    0.99        0700 AM  43.97N 91.29W

...MONROE COUNTY...
LEON                       1.85        0700 AM
SPARTA                     0.66        0700 AM  43.96N 90.74W
TUNNEL CITY                0.56        0700 AM  44.01N 90.57W
CATARACT                   0.40        0740 AM
FOUR CORNERS               0.28        0800 AM

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
VIOLA 4E                   3.00        0700 AM
VIOLA 5E                   2.70        0700 AM
VIOLA                      2.50        0700 AM
RICHLAND CENTER 1NW        1.87        0700 AM  43.36N 90.42W

...TAYLOR COUNTY...
MEDFORD 4NW                0.17        0700 AM

...TREMPEALEAU COUNTY...
BLAIR 2NW                  0.43        0700 AM  44.31N 91.27W
TREMPEALEAU DAM 6          0.40        0700 AM  44.00N 91.44W
WHITEHALL 2W               0.33        0700 AM  44.37N 91.36W
OSSEO                      0.28        0700 AM  44.58N 91.22W

...VERNON COUNTY...
GOOSE ISLAND 1S            3.50        0700 AM
STODDARD 5NNE              3.10        0700 AM  43.72N 91.17W
READSTOWN                  3.04        0700 AM  43.45N 90.76W
GENOA                      2.74        0700 AM  43.57N 91.23W
WESTBY 2NNE                2.44        0700 AM  43.70N 90.85W
VIROQUA 4WSW               2.28        0700 AM  43.54N 90.96W
VIROQUA                    2.26        0730 AM
LA FARGE                   2.15        0700 AM  43.57N 90.64W
ONTARIO                    2.01        0700 AM  43.72N 90.59W
WESTBY 3ENE                2.01        0730 AM
WESTBY 3SE                 1.96        0700 AM  43.62N 90.82W
VIROQUA 3ESE               1.81        0700 AM  43.55N 90.82W
VIROQUA 4NE                1.69        0700 AM  43.61N 90.82W
DESOTO 1SE                 1.50        0700 AM  43.41N 91.19W
HILLSBORO                  1.15        0700 AM  43.65N 90.33W

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