Thunderstorm Wind — Stutsman, North Dakota

2018-09-14 · near Cleveland, Stutsman, North Dakota

Event narrative

Nine single legged aluminum and steel electrical towers covering approximately one-quarter mile were damaged by strong thunderstorm winds. Seven of the towers were completely destroyed and had to be replaced. The remaining two towers were partially taken down, but were salvageable. Five spans of high-voltage electrical wire had to be replaced with each span being approximately one-quarter mile in length. Winds were estimated to have been around 120 mph.

Wider weather episode

An isolated supercell thunderstorm developed along a west to east orientated mid-level boundary. The first report of severe weather from this storm was golf ball size hail over Kidder County. The storm then proceeded into Stutsman County producing estimated wind gusts of 120 mph which severely damaged multiple electrical towers south of the community of Cleveland. Nine single legged aluminum and steel electrical towers spanning approximately one-quarter mile were damaged. Seven of the towers were completely destroyed and had to be replaced. The remaining two towers were partially taken down, but were salvageable. Five spans of high-voltage electrical wire had to be replaced with each span being approximately one-quarter mile in length.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.8100, -99.1200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 778947. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.