RSS FeedsJune 9, 2001
Severe Storms Pummel Southern North Dakota
An approaching upper level system provided lift to produce thunderstorms across western North Dakota Saturday afternoon. The storms intensified as they traveled east southeast along an instability axis extending into South Dakota. Abundant low level moisture combined with relatively cool air aloft lead to the formation of an incredible amount of hail with many of these storms. The hail caused a tremendous amount of damage to homes and vehicles in Bismarck and Mandan. One tornado was reported just north of Hazelton, which is about 30 miles southeast of Bismarck. No known deaths occurred with these storms but numerous injuries were reported. The pictures below will help put the damage into perspective.
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The day after: clearing hail from the railroad underpass on 7th street in Bismarck. Photo taken by NWS employee. |
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Funnel cloud video taped in Bismarck near Main and 16th Street. Photo taken from video taken by Neil Dixon, a NWS employee. |
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Is this January 9 or June 9? Photo sent to the NWS from Vickie J. Vogel. |
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Watch the hail fall. Photo by amateur radio operator, Ric Rhoades, N0XMN. |
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Mammatus: Hanging protuberances, like pouches, on the undersurface of a cloud. In the case of an thunderstorm, mamma generally appear on the underside of the anvil. Photo from Daniel Noah, K0ZRT. |
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Almost free. Photo sent to the NWS from Vickie J. Vogel. |
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Breaking a sweat while shoveling. Photo sent to NWS from amateur radio operator, Ric Rhoades, N0XMN. |
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Downtown Bismarck. Photo sent to NWS from amateur radio operator, Ric Rhoades, N0XMN. |
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Wall cloudy near Fort Yates. A wall cloud marks the lower portion of a very strong updraft. Tornadoes often form on or near a wall cloud. Photo by Bob Demery. |
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The storms raced through Oakes around 9:30 PM CDT. Photo by Dickey County Sheriff, Jim Bohannon. |
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Trees can be dangerous in thunderstorm winds. Photo by Dickey County Sheriff, Jim Bohannon. |
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Seek shelter in a substantial structure. Photo by Dickey County Sheriff, Jim Bohannon. |
