Mckenzie storm history

Light snow and blowing snow developed during the afternoon hours in advance of blizzard conditions developing during the late evening hours of March 10. This led to icy roads. An accident in McKenzie County, on Highway 85 near mile marker 178, resulted in the death (indirect) of …

Ongoing snow and strong winds combined to produce a blizzard. One direct death occurred, a 60 year old male in Watford City who was found along the 200 block of 25th Avenue NE, about one block from his residence.

A traffic accident about 8 miles south of Watford City resulted in the fatality (indirect) of a 10 year old female. Three others were injured (indirect). The North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that the driver of the vehicle lost control on compacted snow. The vehicle went into …

There were three significant wildfires and multiple other fires in McKenzie County, resulting in over 20,000 acres burned. The first significant fire started very early in the morning when a cold front passed through, and threatened the town of Arnegard. This fire was controlled …

Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.

Significant ice jam related high waters created flooding along the Yellowstone River through McKenzie County in northwest North Dakota from March 21 to March 28. Homes and infrastructure that had not been inundated in over a generation were impacted. In addition, farm equipment w…

Upwards of three inches of rain in parts of McKenzie County led to significant overland flooding. There was significant damage to roads and crops. A county emergency declaration was issued.

Softball-size hail reported by Department of Emergency Services. Eighty-five sections in NE McKenzie County affected with nearly $7 million damage to crops and buildings.

Watford City RAWS reported wind gusts to 65 mph.

Strong winds and snow combined to produce a blizzard.

McKenzie County had estimated wind gusts to 60 mph.

McKenzie County had estimated gusts to 60 mph.

The tornado touched down in an open field northwest of Arnegard and moved south-southeast. The tornado impacted no structures, thus there was no damage to evaluate. By National Weather Service policy the tornado is rated EF-U (Unknown).

A single wide manufactured home was blown off its cinder block foundation, displaced approximately 50 to 60 feet, and completely destroyed. A livestock trailer was flipped onto its roof, a metal storage container was shifted and tipped onto its side and a large dumpster was blown…

A pull-behind camper was tipped onto its side.

Several panels on the roof of a metal industrial building were displaced, and a couple were completely blown off.

Minimum wind chill values dropped to between 45 below to around 60 below over most locations.

Wind chill values dropped as low as 60 below.

Watford City AWOS reported wind gusts to 59 mph.

The hail combined with wind to lay down five inch tall wheat, but most of it was expected to recover.