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Wells County, North Dakota
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.
25
Tornado reports
122
Hail reports
17
Floods since 1996
453
All events
2
Deaths
$11.5M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Wells County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 25 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.
Rapid snowmelt created heavy overland flooding and flooding in the upper James River basin. This resulted in flood damage to numerous county and township roads along with 201 homes.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Harvey AWOS station reported wind gusts up to 61 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Storm chasers reported wind gusts up to 60 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public report of wind gusts up to 60 mph.
Dust Storm Dust Storm
Widespread blowing dust with visibility down to a quarter mile.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hurdsfield NDAWN station reported wind gusts up to 61 mph.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Wells County received an estimated six inches of snow.
High Wind High Wind
Harvey AWOS reported sustained winds to 40 mph.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Locations northeast of Emrick received eight inches of snow.
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds and snow combined to produce a blizzard.
High Wind High Wind
Wells County had estimated wind gusts to 60 mph.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Bowdon area suffered notable tree damage, with one spruce tree uprooted, and some box elder trees snapped. The winds combined with hail up to one-inch in diameter to cause additional damage to homes and vehicles which were already significantly damaged from storms that passed…
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Wind driven hail caused extensive damage throughout the community of Bowdon, with most homes suffering broken windows. Significant vehicle damage also occurred along with widespread roof damage.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple grain bins were damaged. Shingles and paneling were blown off another building.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous trees near the house and in a nearby shelter belt uprooted or snapped. Small shed demolished. Roof partially torn off of a small horse shed.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Minimum wind chill values dropped to between 45 below to around 60 below over most locations.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Wind chill values dropped as low as 60 below.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Locations near Emrick received seven inches of snow.
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds and snow combined to produce a blizzard.
High Wind High Wind
Harvey AWOS reported wind gusts to 61 mph.
Hail Hail
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Tornado EFU Tornado
The tornado touched down in an open field southeast of Chaseley and impacted no structures. There was no damage to evaluate. By National Weather Service policy the tornado is rated EF-U (Unknown).
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Wind chill values dropped to around 60 below.
Ice Storm Ice Storm
Utility poles were broken and power lines were down, mainly over the southeastern part of the county. At one point, 12% of utility customers were without power. Travel became nearly impossible given the icy conditions.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Harvey received 14 inches of snow.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large evergreen tree blew over.
Hail Hail
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Dense Smoke Dense Smoke
Flood Flood
Flooding from snow melt runoff caused significant damages to county infrastructure.
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds combined with snow on the ground and falling snow to create a blizzard.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Blowing snow stuck to road surfaces, creating dangerous travel conditions.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 1 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
| 2022 | 25 | 1 |
| 2021 | 23 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 1 |
| 2018 | 17 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 0 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 0 |
| 2013 | 16 | 0 |
| 2012 | 8 | 0 |
| 2011 | 29 | 3 |
| 2010 | 26 | 0 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 |
| 2008 | 22 | 0 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 9 | 0 |
| 2004 | 9 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 | 9 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 21 | 1 |
| 1999 | 14 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 |
| 1996 | 11 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 1 |
| 1986 | 2 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 1 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 2 | 1 |
| 1965 | 3 | 2 |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | 2 | 1 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
| 1953 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Wells County, measured to its path.
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