A strong cold front, deep moisture and a high shear environment led to severe weather across portions of central Minnesota late Tuesday afternoon and evening of July 14th. Several individual storms developed across west central Minnesota and moved quickly northeast and spawned three tornadoes near Swift Falls, Elrosa and Spicer, Minnesota. In addition, several strong thunderstorms tracked across northern Todd and far northwestern Morrison County where two to four inches of rain fell in a short period of time. Due to the highly moist environment, and high rainfall rates, several areas of urban flooding was reported. One was in the community of Staples, and another was in St. Cloud.

Flood in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 17:30:00 to 14-JUL-09 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST CLOUD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two heavy rainfall events occurred the afternoon and evening of July 14. Several local observers and the County Sheriff reported that localized flooding problems developed in urban areas of St. Cloud where poor drainage was noted. Several reports of two to three inch rainfall amounts occurred around St. Cloud and St. Joseph between 5 and 730 pm CST.

Flash Flood in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:45:00 to 14-JUL-09 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: STAPLES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several thunderstorm complexes moved through northern Todd and northwestern Morrison Counties where locally four to six inches of rain fell in less than two hours. Due to poor drainage and the excessive rainfall, flash flooding developed in the town of Staples where evacuation occurred in homes on 5th street, and power was shut off to Staples High Rise Apartments on 4th street due to the high water.

Tornado in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:07:00 to 14-JUL-09 16:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELROSA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Brief touchdown in an open field was videotaped by a trained spotter and viewed by multiple eyewitnesses.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:02:00 to 14-JUL-09 16:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PADUA
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong winds were associated with a rear flank downdraft from a storm that would soon produce a tornado northwest of Elrosa at 1607 CST.

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:02:00 to 14-JUL-09 16:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PADUA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 17:23:00 to 14-JUL-09 17:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST CLOUD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail fell in downtown St. Cloud.

Hail in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 17:59:00 to 14-JUL-09 17:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELMDALE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 15:21:00 to 14-JUL-09 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SWIFT FALLS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey and visual reports confirmed that a tornado moved through portions of Swift and Pope Counties in west central Minnesota where two turkey barns and several outbuildings were destroyed, with extensive tree damage throughout the entire path. Maximum damage was EF-2 with estimated winds of 111-119 mph. In the town of Swift Falls, two residences were damaged along with two garages that were destroyed. The tornado was produced minor crop damage northeast of Swift Falls.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 15:53:00 to 14-JUL-09 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPICER
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey found straight-line wind damage associated with the rear-flank downdraft of the tornadic thunderstorm that went through Spicer. Localized extensive tree damage was observed where winds were estimated between 90 and 100 mph.

Tornado in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 15:41:00 to 14-JUL-09 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPICER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey, plus visual reports and video, confirmed that a tornado moved through portions of Kandiyohi County near the town of Spicer. Portions of downtown Spicer were damaged, including the partial destruction of the upper level of a home, roof damage to multiple houses, several outbuildings destroyed, and a dozen or more car windows blown out at the local Green Mall parking lot. Maximum wind damage was estimated between 100 to 110 mph.

Funnel Cloud in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 17:25:00 to 14-JUL-09 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITNEY MEML ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were multiple reports of funnel clouds in the St. Cloud area.

Hail in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:08:00 to 14-JUL-09 16:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVANSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy Rain in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 18:15:00 to 14-JUL-09 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST JOSEPH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A local COOP observer received 2.80 inches of rain from the afternoon rainfall.

Heavy Rain in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 18:31:00 to 14-JUL-09 18:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUK RAPIDS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A local weather observer measured three inches of rainfall Tuesday afternoon July 14th. Minor street flooding was reported.

Funnel Cloud in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 16:52:00 to 14-JUL-09 16:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLD SPG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 17:35:00 to 14-JUL-09 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUELM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser reported that the funnel may have touched down, but it was impossible to tell for sure.

Tornado in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JUL-09 15:30:00 to 14-JUL-09 15:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILCHRIST
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey and visual reports confirmed that a tornado moved through portions of Swift and Pope Counties in west central Minnesota where two turkey barns and several outbuildings were destroyed, with extensive tree damage throughout the entire path. Maximum damage was EF-2 with estimated winds of 111-119 mph. In the town of Swift Falls, two residences were damaged along with two garages that were destroyed. The tornado was produced minor crop damage northeast of Swift Falls.