EF2 Tornado — Lincoln, South Dakota

2019-09-10 · near Sioux Falls, Lincoln, South Dakota

Event narrative

Initial damage to a few power poles occurred as the tornado touched down at the intersection of 85th Street and Western Avenue in far southern portions of the Sioux Falls metro area. The tornado tracked northeast for a quarter mile causing tree damage in a residential area before turning more northerly. The tornadic path was evident by scouring vegetation while moving through a wetland area, tossing a trampoline, and causing tree damage to adjacent residences. As the tornado entered a residential area on the north end of the wetlands, more significant damage occurred to several single family residences, with loss of significant sections of roofs and walls, as well as numerous uprooted large trees. At this point, the tornado turned northeast for the last quarter mile of its path, moving along La Quinta Street. Two homes incurred more substantial damage with loss of exterior walls. The tornado lifted before reaching Venita Avenue. Average path width was estimated at 40 yards. Property damage costs are rough estimates.

Wider weather episode

A frontal boundary provided focus for convective development across south central South Dakota during the very late afternoon and early evening as a strong impulse moved in the southwest flow aloft. Initial discrete cells produced spotty hail and damaging wind, with MLCAPE values around 1500-2000 J/kg and 45-55 knots of deep-layer shear. As cells spread eastward and developed into a line, the increase in low-level jet during the evening quickly increased the 0-3 km shear to 35-40 knots. Three QLCS tornadoes occurred within the city limits of Sioux Falls. In addition to the tornadoes, widespread wind damage to trees and spottier damage to residences were reported across much of the city. A total of nine people were injured in the storms around Sioux Falls. Repeated cells resulted in flash flooding by later evening and into the overnight hours.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.4752, -96.7471)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 857460. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.