F3 tornado in Big Stone County, Minnesota
Tornado May 17, 1996 · Big Stone County, Minnesota
The path drawn at its surveyed width of 200 yards (0.11 mi) — zoom in and the swath grows to true scale. Other tornadoes recorded nearby that day are shown faint.
The wider storm
A tornado crossing Big Stone Lake from Roberts County, South Dakota destroyed one cabin at the Meadowbrook Resort, blew the roof off another cabin, and another cabin was demolished when a big tree fell onto it. Several boats on Big Stone Lake were overturned. Approxiamately 150 buildings sustained damage or were destroyed as the tornado moved northeast across Big Stone County through the townships of Prior, Big Stone, Almond, Malta, and Moonshine. Southwest of Clinton, a pontoon boat and a camper were destroyed. East of Clinton, a farm lost all buildings with severe damage to their home. The cupboards fell off the walls and doors would not close, signifying a twisted frame. Northeast of Clinton, another farm suffered damage to all structures. Half of the roof was torn off their home. Two miles south of Johnson, a house (rambler) was completely destroyed and several barns and machine sheds were destroyed, before the tornado lifted. Many trees were uprooted in the path of the tornado across Big Stone County and much of the power was out in the County as power lines were downed.
Began near Clinton (45.3800, -96.5700).
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 5553865. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.
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