Storm moves through with 60 mile per hour winds, dropping two inches of rain
Tornado sirens sounded in Mountain Lake at 3:15 p.m. this afternoon (Tuesday, June 14), signaling a Tornado Warning. The all clear was sounded shortly after 3:30 p.m.
According to Mountain Lake meteorologist, Bob Jass Jr., two inches of rain was measured in his rain gauge in the City of Mountain Lake. Sustained winds reached 60 miles per hour.
A couple of tornadoes did touch down in the area during the widespread severe thunderstorm. According to the Pipestone Sheriff’s Department, the first tornado was visually sighted at 1:45 p.m. This tornado took out an open-faced cattle barn and traveled northward into the rural parts of the county for about three miles until it dissipated. Tree branches were down and buildings in that area received minor damage. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, noted that a second tornado touched down near Lake Park, Iowa at 2:22 p.m.
The thunderstorm line developed in northeast Nebraska at 1:30 p.m., according to the NWS. The storm system made its way toward southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa over the course of the afternoon. the afternoon. The NWS reported 60 mile per hour winds in parts of the area, including Mountain Lake.
At approximately 3 p.m., professional storm spotters reported a thunderstorm with rotation and a possible funnel one mile southwest of Windom, according to a post by Cottonwood County Emergency Management. Due to the storm becoming wrapped in the heavy rain, it was difficult for spotters to clearly see what was happening inside it. The NWS also reported that radar-indicated rotation was seen southeast of Bingham Lake. Tornado sirens were also activated in Windom and Bingham Lake.
City of Mountain Lake personnel reported downed tree branches, uprooted trees and a roof partly blown off a shed.
As the line continued moving east and north, higher rainfall amounts were reported, including a five-inch dumping at Lake Crystal.
Below are several photos from the City of Mountain Lake of the storm’s aftermath:
