During the very early morning hours of Friday, August 14th, sporadic slow moving severe thunderstorms formed across portions of west central Minnesota. These resulted in reports of large hail, strong wind gusts, and flash flooding. Prior to sunrise and through Friday morning, additional storms developed back westward into southeast North Dakota, and they continued to fire across west central Minnesota. These storms continued to produce large hail, gusty winds, and flash flooding. By mid-afternoon, an area of surface low pressure tracked through west central Minnesota, dragging a cold front behind it. Five tornadoes occurred during this period across Grant County, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 10:10:00 to 14-AUG-20 10:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAMARAC REFUGE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A few trees were blown down near Flat Lake.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 10:23:00 to 14-AUG-20 10:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVERGREEN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: COOP Observer

The hail was accompanied by heavy rain.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:38:00 to 14-AUG-20 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was the westernmost of 5 tornadoes that formed in Grant County. It formed and dissipated fairly quickly, likely tracking for less than a half mile. Slight marking was noted in a soybean field by video and a damage survey team. Peak winds were estimated at 65 mph.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:42:00 to 14-AUG-20 15:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERMAN MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was the fourth of five tornadoes in Grant County. The tornado crossed U. S. Highway 59 about two miles south of Elbow Lake, the south end of Pomme de Terre Lake, and the Tipsinah Mounds Golf Course. It snapped and uprooted numerous trees, several power poles, and ravaged corn fields. It tore down a small tower, roofing, and roof sections from homes and a golf course clubhouse. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:50:00 to 14-AUG-20 14:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOFFMAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was the fifth and southernmost of five tornadoes that occurred in Grant County. This tornado had a persistent wall cloud for several minutes prior to tornado development. The tornado quickly became wrapped in heavy rain. It snapped or uprooted several trees, and tore roofing off of a home and a pole shed before passing over highway 55, as confirmed by video and a storm damage survey. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 10:02:00 to 14-AUG-20 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKERS PRAIRIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Runoff continued from heavy rainfall.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 13-AUG-20 23:30:00 to 13-AUG-20 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SNELLMAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 00:20:00 to 14-AUG-20 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEVIS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 09:20:00 to 14-AUG-20 09:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ULEN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down in a shelterbelt.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 01:22:00 to 14-AUG-20 01:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 09:04:00 to 14-AUG-20 09:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: FELTON
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Large grain bins were crushed at the elevator complex. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 09:55:00 to 14-AUG-20 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: DETROIT LAKES
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RAWS mesonet station.

Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 13:48:00 to 14-AUG-20 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Public

Runoff from heavy rain near Swan Lake continued through most of the day.

Flash Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 06:14:00 to 14-AUG-20 13:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FFM)FERGUS FALLS AR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Otter Tail Sheriff's office reported water in the basement of the courthouse in Fergus Falls, and ponding in front of the courthouse greater than 6 inches deep. The town park near the Otter Tail River was completely flooded, with depths greater than five feet.

Flash Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 07:30:00 to 14-AUG-20 10:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKERS PRAIRIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Localized street flooding occurred after nearly two inches of rain fell in about 30 minutes. Local ditches, fields, and farm access roads flooded from over 4.50 inches of rain since just after midnight.

Flash Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 08:00:00 to 14-AUG-20 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rain resulted in at least eight inches of water over county road 115 at 320th street, in northern Maine Township.

Flood in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:14:00 to 14-AUG-20 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEJOU
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Runoff from heavy rain entered a home.

Flash Flood in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 02:30:00 to 14-AUG-20 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGH LNDG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to five inches of rain fell across much of Deer Park and High Landing townships. Fields and farm access roads were inundated. The runoff quickly raised the Red Lake River by two feet.

Funnel Cloud in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:50:00 to 14-AUG-20 14:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WENDELL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The funnel extended about half way down from the cloud base.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:37:00 to 14-AUG-20 14:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was one of five tornadoes that formed in Grant County. The tornado formed very quickly west of Elbow Lake. The tornado remained largely over open fields, with minor markings noted in corn and soybean fields, as confirmed by a storm damage survey team. Peak winds were estimated at 75 mph.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 14:39:00 to 14-AUG-20 14:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: WENDELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado was the third of five tornadoes in Grant County. The tornado tracked mainly over open fields and pasture land. A slight marking was noted in a field via video and a storm damage survey team. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 15:30:00 to 14-AUG-20 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TENSTRIKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Several trees were blown down onto a camper near Summer Haven Resort.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 15:05:00 to 14-AUG-20 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ERDAHL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down at a golf course.

Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 13:48:00 to 14-AUG-20 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FFM)FERGUS FALLS AR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Runoff continued from flash flooding in Fergus Falls.

Hail in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 00:15:00 to 14-AUG-20 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: (PKD)PARK RAPIDS ARP
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Social Media

Flash Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 04:30:00 to 14-AUG-20 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Public

Street and parking lot flooding was reported near Swan Lake.

Flash Flood in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 14-AUG-20 00:00:00 to 14-AUG-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHEVLIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Fields and farm access roads were flooded across southeast Copley and southern Shevlin townships. Street flooding was reported in Shevlin.