Freeborn County, Minnesota
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1952 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
72
Tornado reports
152
Hail reports
28
Floods since 1996
616
All events
18
Deaths
$156.2M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Freeborn County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 72 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
The tornado initially moved northeast to approximately 3.5 miles west of Conger, where at about (43.6156, -93.6015), it began to move more to the east-northeast. West of Armstrong, at about (43.6597, -93.4938), it began tracking nearly due north to just west of Manchester, where …
Tornado EF3 Tornado
As the Lerdal tornado began to dissipate, it rotated around this new one west of Hollandale. This new EF-3 tornado went on to obliterate a farmstead, with virtually every outbuilding destroyed, and the farm house leveled. It continued northeast and took the roof off a house and d…
Tornado EF3 Tornado
Touchdown was near the intersection of Freeborn County Roads 14 and 20. Multiple farmsteads experienced significant structural and tree damage, including one house completely destroyed and several others heavily damaged. Many outbuildings were destroyed, hundreds of trees uproote…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Approximately three to five inches of heavy rain in three hours resulted in flash flooding. Water was reported over Highway 65 three miles southeast of Albert Lea, and over Interstate 90 five miles east and one mile north of Hayward. Heavy rain washed out a section of County Road…
Tornado first touched down on the western fringe of Glenville, and produced major damage, especially on the northwest side of Glenville. There were 25 homes that sustained major damage, and 70 with minor damage. Damage survey indicated F2 damage on northwest side of Glenville, wi…
Shortly after the Glenville tornado dissipated, another tornado formed 4 miles southwest of Oakland and dissipated about 1/2 mile before it would have crossed Interstate 90, which law enforcement had barricaded. Major damage to 3 farmsteads, minor damage to 8 others per damage su…
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This tornado's track and timing are based on drone and ground survey from the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office. The tornado appears to have started in a field just south of 160th Street, then damaged several trees and buildings on the corner of 160th Street and 650th Avenue. The …
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This tornado's track and timing are based on drone and ground survey from the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office, and is supported by the radar signature and near storm environment. Likely a QLCS tornado that developed in a field just east of US HWY 65, crossing 810th Ave and damag…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Damage to trees and partial roof damage to a house due to thunderstorm winds estimated at 68 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Partial machine shed damage due to thunderstorm winds estimated at 65 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
AWOS located at Albert Lea Municipal Airport a 62-mph wind gust.
Hail Hail
Tornado EF1 Tornado
This tornado track and timing are based on drone and ground survey from the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office as also videos from two different storm chasers. The tornado appears to have taken a semi-circular path, first moving east and then northeast. A farm was hit at 43.8283, -…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Visibilities were dramatically reduced, reaching below 1 mile at times, as heavy snow fell and sustained winds were 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts over 30 mph. The 2-day snowfall reports ranged from about 6 to 10 inches throughout the county, with the highest report being 10 in…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A narrow band of snow produced 1 to 3 inches across the county. The highest CoCoRaHS snowfall measurement was 2.7 inches 3 miles SSE of Albert Lea.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
KAEL reported wind gusts as high as 30mph during the evening as air temperatures dropped from -10F to -19F overnight. The lowest measured wind chill was -42F at 3AM on the 23rd.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Strong winds gusting to 35 mph and scattered snow showers resulted in prolonged reductions in visibility as low as 1 mile at times. The worst conditions were during the morning of the 17th. Total snowfall accumulation was under an inch.
Blizzard Blizzard
The combination of falling snow and strong winds resulted in blizzard conditions throughout the county. MNDoT road and plow cameras showed several hours of near zero visibility throughout the county, and winds gusted around 30 to 35 mph at KAEL in Albert Lea. The Minnesota Depart…
Blizzard Blizzard
Light snow combined with strong 35 to 40 mph wind gusts caused blowing snow and reduced visibility to near zero for several hours. Emergency Management reported that whiteout conditions led to two jackknifed semis and a five-vehicle crash on I-35 SB, leading to the closure of bot…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Light snow fell across the county during the afternoon and evening hours. CoCoRaHS observers measured 1.5 inches one mile SW of Albert Lea.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Persistent light snow lasted for over 24 hours, with strong winds gusting to 35 mph near the end of the event. Snowfall totals across the county were reported around 7 to 10 inches. The highest report was 9.5 inches 3 miles W of Hollandale.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout the city of Alden.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines were downed across I90 eastbound near Alden, MN.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A storm chaser took video of a tornado near its beginning, just northwest of Twin Lakes. It moved across two farms, tree groves, and fields. At the farms, two sheds were damaged from falling trees. The tornado entered the southeast edge of Albert Lea, taking down more trees and d…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A tornado was caught on video in Faribault County, just north of Interstate 90. It moved across fields before moving into Freeborn County, where it hit some trees. Satellite imagery confirmed the tornado path. Based on the tree damage, the maximum wind speed was estimated at 80 m…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A trained spotter took photos and video of a tornado that crossed the northern portion of Freeborn Lake. It damaged some corn on the western edge of the lake, then knocked down large branches on the east side of the lake.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Trained spotters and some members of the public took photos of a tornado that crossed the southern portion of Freeborn Lake. Before crossing the lake, it damaged trees at an abandoned farmstead. After crossing the lake, it damaged some corn on the eastern side of the lake before …
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A trained spotter took photos and video of a tornado northwest of the city of Freeborn. It hit a grove of trees at the outset, then crossed several fields before dissipating.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Storm chasers and trained spotters (including fire and law personnel) took photos and video of a tornado that began west-southwest of Hartland. It moved across one farm where large branches were knocked down, then moved just northwest of Hartland, barely missing the city and two …
Flood Flood
At least 12 residents in the city of Alden reported water in their basements. The City of Alden used pumps to bypass the sewer system to alleviate overload to the sewage ponds. This flooding was a result of heavy rain that occurred throughout the day on June 16th.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Hwy 109 closed between Wells and Alden due to water over the roadway. Two county roads west of Alden were damaged due to flooding (CR 61 and CR 51). One Carlston Township road (630th Av north of Hwy 109) was also damaged due to flooding.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Photo measurement of nickel sized hail near the intersection of Hwy 13 and County Rd 101.
Hail Hail
Photo measurement provided via social media.
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 5 to 7 inches of snow fell across the county. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 3/4 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in hazardous travel with public works employees reporting whiteout conditions across …
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 5 to 10 inches of snow fell across the county with the greatest amounts across the western portion. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 3/4 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in many roads becoming impassab…
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
A few hours with wind chill below -35 observed at KAEL.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The AWOS located at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport recorded an extreme wind chill of -37 degrees.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Interpolated snowfall analysis from CoCoRaHS reports showed three to four inches accumulation across the county.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 21 | 6 |
| 2024 | 18 | 1 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2021 | 20 | 8 |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 |
| 2019 | 16 | 2 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 10 | 1 |
| 2016 | 13 | 1 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 0 |
| 2013 | 23 | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 | 31 | 9 |
| 2009 | 15 | 2 |
| 2008 | 30 | 0 |
| 2007 | 24 | 0 |
| 2006 | 11 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 0 |
| 2004 | 23 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 |
| 2001 | 28 | 3 |
| 2000 | 9 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 0 |
| 1998 | 23 | 5 |
| 1997 | 11 | 0 |
| 1996 | 18 | 0 |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 11 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 6 | 4 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 7 | 3 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 2 |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 1 |
| 1979 | 5 | 0 |
| 1978 | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 7 | 1 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 3 | 0 |
| 1970 | 2 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 4 | 1 |
| 1967 | 7 | 4 |
| 1966 | 3 | 1 |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 2 | 0 |
| 1962 | 2 | 0 |
| 1960 | 4 | 1 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 1 |
| 1957 | 3 | 3 |
| 1953 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Freeborn County, measured to its path.
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