Polk County, Minnesota
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1955 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
82
Tornado reports
423
Hail reports
54
Floods since 1996
915
All events
4
Deaths
$11.9M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Polk County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 81 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.
This tornado began in Polk County and tracked northeastward for nine miles to the Red Lake County line about 5 miles north-northeast of Mentor. After crossing into Red Lake County, it continued for an additional 6 miles. The tornado tracked across Maple Lake and the community of …
This tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain for most of its path. It tracked nearly due east at about 60 mph, for at least 15 miles. It tore down trees in shelterbelts and tore roofing off of a couple of homes and farm buildings. It tore down 11 miles, or mo…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees down in the Fertile area.
Hail Hail
A few hail stones up to one inch in size. Mostly soft hail.
Hail Hail
Estimated quarter size hail.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A tornado produced intermittent EF-0 and EF-1 damage in Grand Forks, ND and East Grand Forks, MN. It initially touched down near the intersection of 38th St. and 32nd Ave in Grand Forks, ND where it bent a light pole from the top of the intersection stop lights. It tracked to the…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report of tree damage around the town of Beltrami. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report of power pole down. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Crookston airport AWOS measured peak gust via 1 min observation.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured gust on personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wind gust by NDAWN station 2 W of Eldred.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wing gust on private weather station.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Nielsville FD reported multiple brief touchdowns near the pilling station lasting no more than 30 seconds and doing no reported damage other that stripping some leaves off crops. Spotters also reported a funnel with intermittent touchdowns near the Nielsville pilling station.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
This tornado tracked NW to SE with a final S push as it occluded. It tracked for about 5.3 miles, with roughly 0.68 miles in Polk County and the remaining track in Norman County. EF0 damage was noted in Polk County, with EF1 damage in Norman County.
Hail Hail
Received a report of 1 inch hail from a member of the public.
Hail Hail
Received a public report of 1 inch hail.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple tree limbs up to 6 inch in size down. Estimated 70 mph wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
There were reports of power lines down and tree limbs up to 3 inches blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Widespread tree damage with limbs around 3 inches in diameter blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured gust at mesonet station MN114 Beltrami MN DOT.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN 10 meter measurement north of Fertile.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station MN060 East Grand Forks MN dot.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN station 211549 2 miles west of Eldred MN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station 211549 Eldred MN ndawn.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN 10 meter measurement north of Crookston.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gust measured 2 west Eldred. Mesonet station 211549 Eldred MN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines down resulting in power outages northwest of Red Lake Falls.
Tornado EFU Tornado
Polk county law enforcement reported a tornado. Two videos online showed a dusty circulation with no funnel cloud moving across a 260th St SW. No damage reported or seen via satellite.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Broadcast Media Reported roads flooded and drainage outlets overwhelmed on South Ash street in Crookston MN.
Flood Flood
Public reported basement flooded and street drainage overwhelmed.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public reports tree falling and hitting house and damaging the side of the house in Melvin, MN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public reports trees down on the northeastern side of town via facebook.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind gust at 3 meters at the Eldred NDAWN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind gust at 3 meters at the Crookston NDAWN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Crookston airport AWOS peak wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Davis Personal Weather Station peak wind gust.
Hail Hail
Public reports quarter sized hail 3 miles east of Winger.
Hail Hail
Fire Department in Nielsville reports golf ball sized hail.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Law Enforcement reports standing water in roads, resulting in impassable streets downtown.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Broadcast Media relays a report of 4 inch tree branch snapped in Climax.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large 100 year old or more Oak Tree snapped. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Law Enforcement reports trees down in various sizes around Crookston.
Flood Flood
East Grand Forks gage, on the Red River. Crested at 27.31 ft on May 29th at 4:45 PM.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public reports 2 large trees uprooted in Tabor. Wind gust estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
MNDOT Station MN060 in East Grand Forks reports a 64 mph gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
AWOS station at Crookston Airport reports a 59 mph gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public reports 2 power poles cracked at the base 3 NE Mallory. Wind speed estimated.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 25 | 4 |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 23 | 3 |
| 2022 | 32 | 1 |
| 2021 | 14 | 2 |
| 2020 | 27 | 0 |
| 2019 | 25 | 1 |
| 2018 | 42 | 4 |
| 2017 | 27 | 2 |
| 2016 | 36 | 3 |
| 2015 | 24 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 2 |
| 2013 | 8 | 1 |
| 2012 | 14 | 0 |
| 2011 | 26 | 2 |
| 2010 | 29 | 6 |
| 2009 | 18 | 0 |
| 2008 | 11 | 0 |
| 2007 | 40 | 2 |
| 2006 | 32 | 3 |
| 2005 | 49 | 9 |
| 2004 | 15 | 1 |
| 2003 | 16 | 0 |
| 2002 | 38 | 3 |
| 2001 | 78 | 2 |
| 2000 | 16 | 0 |
| 1999 | 25 | 1 |
| 1998 | 38 | 3 |
| 1997 | 32 | 2 |
| 1996 | 23 | 3 |
| 1995 | 2 | 1 |
| 1994 | 11 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 1 |
| 1991 | 5 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 10 | 2 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 |
| 1985 | 9 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 1 |
| 1983 | 7 | 1 |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | 6 | 4 |
| 1977 | 9 | 5 |
| 1976 | 3 | 0 |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 |
| 1974 | 3 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | 2 | 0 |
| 1968 | 3 | 0 |
| 1966 | 2 | 1 |
| 1965 | 2 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1 | 1 |
| 1957 | 2 | 0 |
| 1956 | 3 | 0 |
| 1955 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Polk County, measured to its path.
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