1969 Minnesota tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The 1969 Minnesota tornado outbreak was a tornado outbreak
that affected portions of north central Minnesota
on August 6, 1969. There were 13 confirmed tornadoes from the outbreak, 15 people were killed and 109 were injured.
saw a high temperature of 93 °F (34 °C) with dew point
s near 70 °F (21 °C). Meanwhile, strong upper level winds
over northern Minnesota and an approaching cold front
from the west added the needed ingredient for the strong storms.
, touched down at 12:15 pm CDT in Beltrami County
. The main tornado event started about three hours later in Cass County
when an F3 tornado touched down southwest of Backus
, injuring four people.
The most damaging tornado of the outbreak touched down at 3:48 pm in Crow Wing County
. It achieved F4 strength, traveling 38 miles (61 km) through Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin
counties. The area around Outing
was especially hard hit by this tornado, where 11 deaths and 40 injuries occurred on the shores of Roosevelt Lake.
Several more strong tornadoes touched down over the next two hours, killing one person near Jacobson
and two people near Two Harbors
. Damage and casualties were limited however because most of the twisters struck rural areas.
Tornado outbreak
While there is no single agreed upon definition, generally at least 6-10 tornadoes produced by the same synoptic scale weather system is considered a tornado outbreak. The tornadoes usually occur within the same day, or continue into the early morning hours of the succeeding day, and within the...
that affected portions of north central Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
on August 6, 1969. There were 13 confirmed tornadoes from the outbreak, 15 people were killed and 109 were injured.
Meteorological synopsis
Very warm, humid summertime air had pushed into central on southern Minnesota on August 6, 1969. MinneapolisMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
saw a high temperature of 93 °F (34 °C) with dew point
Dew point
The dew point is the temperature to which a given parcel of humid air must be cooled, at constant barometric pressure, for water vapor to condense into liquid water. The condensed water is called dew when it forms on a solid surface. The dew point is a saturation temperature.The dew point is...
s near 70 °F (21 °C). Meanwhile, strong upper level winds
Jet stream
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth. The main jet streams are located near the tropopause, the transition between the troposphere and the stratosphere . The major jet streams on Earth are westerly winds...
over northern Minnesota and an approaching cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
from the west added the needed ingredient for the strong storms.
Outbreak description
Thirteen tornadoes touched down that day, killing 15 and injuring 109. The first tornado of the day, an F0Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
, touched down at 12:15 pm CDT in Beltrami County
Beltrami County, Minnesota
Beltrami County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 44,442. Its county seat is Bemidji. Portions of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations are in the county. The northernmost portion of the Mississippi River flows...
. The main tornado event started about three hours later in Cass County
Cass County, Minnesota
Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:...
when an F3 tornado touched down southwest of Backus
Backus, Minnesota
Backus is a city in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 250 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, injuring four people.
| State | Total | County | County total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... |
15 | Aitkin Aitkin County, Minnesota Aitkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population is 16,202. Its county seat is Aitkin. A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.-History:... |
1 |
| Cass Cass County, Minnesota Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:... |
12 | ||
| St. Louis St. Louis County, Minnesota St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 200,226. Its county seat is Duluth. It is the largest county by total area in Minnesota, and the second largest in the United States east of the Mississippi River; in land area alone, after Aroostook... |
2 | ||
| Totals | 15 | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
Crow Wing County, Minnesota
Crow Wing County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 62,500. Its county seat is Brainerd.-Geography:...
. It achieved F4 strength, traveling 38 miles (61 km) through Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin
Aitkin County, Minnesota
Aitkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population is 16,202. Its county seat is Aitkin. A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.-History:...
counties. The area around Outing
Outing, Minnesota
Outing is an unincorporated community in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area.The community is located between Crosby and Remer on Minnesota State Highway 6.The Clint Converse campground is nearby....
was especially hard hit by this tornado, where 11 deaths and 40 injuries occurred on the shores of Roosevelt Lake.
Several more strong tornadoes touched down over the next two hours, killing one person near Jacobson
Jacobson, Minnesota
Jacobson is a small unincorporated community in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States.Formerly known as "Mississippi Landing," it is named after Paul Jacobson, who started the local post office and mail route in 1901....
and two people near Two Harbors
Two Harbors, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
. Damage and casualties were limited however because most of the twisters struck rural areas.
Confirmed tornadoes
- Table of confirmed tornadoes - after surveys by local weather service offices
| F# Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... |
||||||
| F0 | Bemidji Bemidji, Minnesota Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,... |
Beltrami Beltrami County, Minnesota Beltrami County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 44,442. Its county seat is Bemidji. Portions of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations are in the county. The northernmost portion of the Mississippi River flows... |
1815 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
No Damage Reported. | |
| F3 | Backus Backus, Minnesota Backus is a city in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 250 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... area |
Cass Cass County, Minnesota Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:... |
2120 | 17.3 miles (27.7 km) |
$2.5 Million in damages, 4 injuries. 5 miles NE of Nimrod Nimrod, Minnesota Nimrod is a city in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 69 at the 2010 census, making it one of the smallest incorporated towns in Minnesota, though it is included on most major maps. Nimrod was incorporated as a city in 1946... to 4 mi ENE of Backus. |
|
| F4 | Outing Outing, Minnesota Outing is an unincorporated community in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area.The community is located between Crosby and Remer on Minnesota State Highway 6.The Clint Converse campground is nearby.... area |
Crow Wing Crow Wing County, Minnesota Crow Wing County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 62,500. Its county seat is Brainerd.-Geography:... , Cass Cass County, Minnesota Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:... and Aitkin Aitkin County, Minnesota Aitkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population is 16,202. Its county seat is Aitkin. A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.-History:... |
2148 | 32.3 miles (51.7 km) |
12 deaths occurred with 70 injuries, $7.5 Million in damages. Large F4 tornado hit the town of Outing at 1602 resulting in heavy damage. | |
| F3 | NE of Chisholm Chisholm, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 4,960 people, 2,178 households, and 1,287 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,129 people per square mile . There were 2,375 housing units at an average density of 540/sq mi... |
St. Louis | 2225 | 10 miles (16 km) |
$2.5 million in damage. 9 injured | |
| F3 | S of Jacobson Jacobson, Minnesota Jacobson is a small unincorporated community in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States.Formerly known as "Mississippi Landing," it is named after Paul Jacobson, who started the local post office and mail route in 1901.... |
Aitkin Aitkin County, Minnesota Aitkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population is 16,202. Its county seat is Aitkin. A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.-History:... |
2250 | 12.5 miles (20 km) |
1 death 3 injured, $250k in damage. | |
| F2 | S of Tower Tower, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there are 479 people in the city, organized into 233 households and 137 families. The population density is 176.8 people per square mile . There are 295 housing units at an average density of 108.9 per square mile... (1st tornado) |
St. Louis | 2300 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
$25k in damage | |
| F2 | S of Tower Tower, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there are 479 people in the city, organized into 233 households and 137 families. The population density is 176.8 people per square mile . There are 295 housing units at an average density of 108.9 per square mile... (2nd tornado) |
St. Louis | 2300 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
$25k in damage | |
| F3 | E of Tower Tower, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there are 479 people in the city, organized into 233 households and 137 families. The population density is 176.8 people per square mile . There are 295 housing units at an average density of 108.9 per square mile... |
St. Louis | 2300 | 7.2 miles (11.5 km) |
$250k in damage | |
| F3 | Floodwood Floodwood, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 503 people , 254 households, and 112 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,131.9 people per square mile . There were 290 housing units at an average density of 652.6 per square mile... area |
St. Louis | 2300 | 18.4 miles (29.4 km) |
$2.5 million in damage. 20 injured | |
| F3 | E of Soudan Soudan, Minnesota Soudan is an unincorporated community in Breitung Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located immediately east of the city of Tower on MN Highway 169 / MN Highway 1.... |
St. Louis | 2315 | 3.8 miles (6.1 km) |
$250k in damage | |
| F2 | S of Ely Ely, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,369.5 people per square mile . There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile... |
St. Louis | 2335 | 1.9 miles (3 km) |
$25k in damage | |
| F3 | N of Duluth Duluth, Minnesota Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,... to Two Harbors Two Harbors, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile... |
St. Louis, Lake Lake County, Minnesota Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 10,866. Its county seat is Two Harbors. Lake County was founded on February 20, 1855, as Superior County, though its name was changed on March 3, of that year to St. Louis County. On March 1, 1856, St... |
2350 | 17.2 miles (27.5 km) |
2 deaths 3 injured, $250k in damage in St. Louis County. $2.5 k in damage in Lake County. | |
| Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River.... |
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| F0 | NE of Monroe Monroe, Nebraska Monroe is a village in Platte County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Monroe is located at .... |
Platte Platte County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,662 people, 12,076 households, and 8,465 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 12,916 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile... |
0140 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - August 6, 1969 Storm Data | ||||||