Summer Storms

History

Perhaps the most famous tornado that has ever hit central Minnesota was the tornado of 1886. It struck at around 4 p.m. on April 14 of that year. The total losses from this terrible storm included 74 dead and 136 injured. Another major tornado struck Benton County in 1909. 

Between January, 1950 and September, 2001 there was one recorded tornado in Benton County with at least one injury or death. It occurred on August 15, 1954. One person was injured, and approximately $25,000 worth of damage occurred. There was also a major summer storm on July 12, 1978.