Thunderstorm Wind — Dawson, Montana

2006-06-14 · near Glendive, Dawson, Montana

Event narrative

A line of severe thunderstorms roared through the Glendive area and caused extensive damage. A National Weather Service storm survey was conducted, and it was determined that although there may have been funnel clouds in the area, all of the damage was caused by straight line winds of around 100 mph. The team first surveyed the damage just north of downtown, along the east bank of the Yellowstone River. Two trees, the largest of which was a 44 year old pine, were uprooted at a residence. Both trees were pushed leaning northeast onto and partially through the exterior wall and roof of the house. Throughout this area of the city, there were numerous other trees and branches taken down by the storm. Widespread damage was observed throughout the West park area, across the Yellowstone River from downtown. Within the park, numerous trees and tree branches of 1 to 2 feet in diameter were uprooted and snapped. Not far from the park, the roof of an auto shop sustained heavy damage. On the southwest side of the Glendive area, a large, healthy tree with a 32-inch diameter trunk uprooted and fell through the corner of a residence, with the main trunk entering through the wall and roof of a bedroom. Farther southwest in the Berry subdivision, an entire garage of a residence appeared entirely dismantled by the winds, with some of the debris observed as far as a half mile downwind. The southwest side of one of the hangers at the Dawson County Community Airport was destroyed when large pieces of the exterior walls and sheet metal roof were blown out. A small plane and classic car both sustained heavy damage. From the airport, two large towers, carrying main power lines on a ridge between Dry Creek and Highway 200-S could be seen knocked down. More damage was observed to garages and roofing on Highway 200-S a few miles to the west of town. Another large tree also fell on a house in the Forest Park area. The wind speed was measured at 91 mph at the Glendive AWOS, and twenty minutes later the wind was still gusting to 75 mph, suggestive of sustained-duration, straight line winds.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5514505. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.