On the evening of July 12th, 2015 a line of severe storms brought widespread damaging straight line winds to the southern portions of Cass and Crow Wing counties in north central Minnesota. There was major tree loss and damage to homes, cabins and vehicles from fallen trees.
An automated weather station in Brainerd, MN recorded a peak wind of 65 mph during the storm. Most of the storm damage in the Brainerd area was consistent with winds in the 70 to 80 mph range.
However, there were pockets of more devastating tree damage, mainly in the Pillsbury State Forest area northwest of Brainerd. Wind speeds in excess of 100 mph were likely in this area. The Pillsbury State Forest was closed most of the summer due to trails roads being blocked by downed trees. By fall many trails and campsites were still closed.
At area, 50 vehicles were destroyed 10,000 trees were blown down, 100 accommodation units destroyed and multiple conference centers and common buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Lodges, resorts, golf courses  and campgrounds in the Gull Lake area were evacuated and closed for a week or more due to loss of power and for clean up operations.
Cass and Crow Wing counties received state disaster assistance funds.
There as much at $25 million in damage, according to a rough tally among resorts owners, construction firms, utility providers and homeowners.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAINERD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 6 large healthy Oak trees down in the yard and many other trees down across the neighborhood. Power was out until 2:30 am. There was an estimated 2 of rainfall, but the gage was taken out by a falling tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:50:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAINERD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was a large tree down on a house. Also, there was hail between 1 and 1.25 in diameter.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 73.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The smaller bleachers of the Brainerd International Raceway blew over.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An old drive-in movie theater screen was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GULL LAKE
Magnitude: 90.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

There was a large swath of trees in Pilsbury State Forest that had snapped trunks.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERRIFIELD
Magnitude: 82.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At least a few large and healthy trees were completely uprooted and knocked over. One of the trees damaged a shed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESTERDAY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large trees with diameters up to 40 were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAINERD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Five oak trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:50:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

There were numerous trees down with many blocking the roads. There were power lines down. State Highway 371 north of Baxter was blocked by fallen trees.

Hail in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 07:17:00 to 12-JUL-15 07:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HASSMAN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

There was torrential rainfall at the time of the report.

Hail in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:49:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: AITKIN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was pea to dime sized hail.

Hail in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: AITKIN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:24:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLORY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:38:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: THORP
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:15:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESTERDAY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The spotter lost part of the garage roof.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:18:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: PILLAGER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 3 to 4-inch diameter tree branches down from a living oak tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:25:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: PILLAGER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large trees fell and hit the powerlines. The trees had an estimated diameter of 18 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PILLAGER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were trees down, including one big oak, and a TV antenna and tower were blow down.

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 09:32:00 to 12-JUL-15 09:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIESLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was 0.5 to 1 diameter hail. The spotter received 0.50 of rainfall in 10 minutes.

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 09:53:00 to 12-JUL-15 09:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: HINCKLEY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

The hail fell at Grand National Golf Course.

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 09:54:00 to 12-JUL-15 09:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: HINCKLEY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail fell for ten minutes.

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 09:55:00 to 12-JUL-15 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MISSION CREEK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 09:58:00 to 12-JUL-15 09:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: HINCKLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

The hail was observed at Grand Casino.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:17:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two to three 8 to 12 diameter living pine trees were down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:24:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE HUBERT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

There were reports of a lot of living trees down, including some 12 to 24 in diameter. A tree fell down on the house and caused roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:27:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The cart corrals at Walmart were upended.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:30:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEQUOT LAKES ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAINERD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were trees down.