Thunderstorm Wind in Linn County, Missouri

About a mile to two miles south of the main tornado circulation widespread unidirectional wind damage occurred, likely as a result of a strong rear flank downdraft. This RFD wind was responsible for numerous damaged residences and outbuildings across Linn County.

On the afternoon of May 6 strong thunderstorms formed in far northwest Missouri. Through the afternoon these storms strengthened as they moved east across northern Missouri, ultimately turning into robust supercells that started diving southeast toward Highway 36. Along the way they produced giant hail reaching, and perhaps exceeding 4 inches at times. As the main storm pushed southeast toward Linneus, Missouri it produced a tornado that at times was several hundred yards wide. This tornado produced EF-2 damage just north of Linneus. Perhaps as noteworthy, if not more so, was the extremely strong and wide rear flank downdraft that produced some intense damage well south of the main tornado track. This RFD destroyed numerous homes along the way and produced extreme tree damage to the city of Linneus, which was largely spared a direct hit from the actual tornado. Overall the storm produced three separate tornadoes, the most noteworthy of which was the EF-2 just north of Linneus, Missouri.