Flash Flood in Morrison County, Minnesota

Nearly 30 homes were evacuated in the town of Randall due to flood waters spilling over the banks of the Little Elk River. Numerous roads and bridges were also damaged. The heaviest rainfall occurred before 4 am, but flood waters developed during the morning. Damage totals were provided by Morrison County Emergency Management.

During the late afternoon, and early evening of Thursday, June 23rd, a small complex of storms developed in central Minnesota. These storms were developing along an 850mb confluent boundary with an above normal plume of PWATs of 1.25. Due to a high freezing level, a sounding profile suggesting efficient warm-rain processes dominated. With back-building storms across central Minnesota, rainfall amounts were excessive. Some areas received up to 7 inches of rainfall before rates diminished during the pre-dawn hours. The worst areas were across Todd, Morrison, Stearns and Benton Counties where a band of 3 to 6 inches fell before 4 am. In addition to the heavy rainfall, and flash flooding, the initial hazard was isolated large hail.