National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

    On June 12, 1899, one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history occurred in New Richmond, Wisconsin, just about 30 miles northeast of the heart of the Twin Cities.  This tornado struck soon after 6 pm, which was a particularly vulnerable time for the community of then 2,500, as the Gollmar Brothers Circus was in town and just ending their show.  Because of this, an estimated hundreds of more people were in town, with many outside in the streets as the strong storm approached.  The tornado tracked through the heart of New Richmond from southwest to northeast.  There were 117 people killed, with 114 of them being in New Richmond.  This tornado ranks as the 9th deadliest tornado in U.S. history.  Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the tornado, as seen in this spliced "panoramic view" below taken after.

    This beginning of the 2011 tornado season has been a horrific one, and the deadliest in many decades.  Remembering the New Richmond tornado serves as a reminder that violent tornadoes, just like those that struck Joplin or Tuscaloosa, can and do happen in this region.  Just one year ago this coming Friday was the largest tornado outbreak in 2010, and most of it occurred right here in Minnesota.  Three of the tornadoes that day were of the same magnitude that struck Tuscaloosa in April.  While science, technology, warning services, and more have advanced markedly since the New Richmond tornado of 112 years ago, this spring has shown that communities and cities can have direct hits by tornadoes, and the devastation can be extreme.  The number of fatalities in the Joplin tornado was very close to that of New Richmond.  Some general ideas to keep in mind regarding severe weather and tornadoes:

• Preparedness for severe weather is key, whether in the home, workplace, school, and elsewhere. 
• When able, try to check into the forecast when there are severe thunderstorm possibilities.  An NWS web site to help you is the Storms Prediction Center site, particularly their outlooks.  Also, like the NWS Twin Cities on Facebook, and follow our posts there ahead of potential severe weather.
• Do you and all your family know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?   Review.
• During a tornado watch, when the skies darken, remember the possibility of tornadoes does exist. Some action may need to be taken then, so if a warning is issued, you can more swiftly react.
• Have a way, preferably multiple, to receive a warning if one is issued.  Our web page is one way to see warnings for the local area.  NOAA Weather Radios can also alert you to a warning issuance for your county.  Mobile devices also have applications that can alert you to weather warnings.
• Large outdoor venues or areas that have hundreds of people outside, such as just before the New Richmond tornado, can at times be even more vulnerable.  For planners and workers of such venues or events, strongly consider preparedness and possibly StormReady.
• Know what you would do if a tornado warning were issued for your area, whether you be at home, working, in your car, camping, a baseball game, etc.  See safety suggestions here.

 For more on the 1899 New Richmond tornado, see this page by the NWS in Milwaukee.