Wabasha County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Minnesota Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Wabasha County is about the same as Minnesota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Wabasha County is lower than Minnesota average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #55
| Wabasha County | 0.00 |
| Minnesota | 0.01 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Wabasha County | 0.0000 |
| Minnesota | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #47
| Wabasha County | 122.67 |
| Minnesota | 135.90 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 12,477 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Wabasha County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 93 | Cold: | 154 | Dense Fog: | 75 | Drought: | 41 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 837 | Hail: | 4,802 | Heat: | 61 | Heavy Snow: | 171 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 39 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 166 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,940 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 7 | Winter Storm: | 406 | Winter Weather: | 81 |
| Other: | 604 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Wabasha County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Wabasha County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Wabasha County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 48 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Wabasha County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 5.5 | 1964-08-28 | 2 | 44°17'N / 92°21'W | 44°20'N / 92°20'W | 2.70 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabasha |
| 16.3 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 3.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabasha |
| 17.8 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 43°58'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°57'W | 14.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 18.6 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 44°13'N / 91°54'W | 44°20'N / 91°49'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 18.6 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 17.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Winona |
| 20.3 | 1981-04-29 | 2 | 44°12'N / 92°39'W | 44°12'N / 92°36'W | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted | ||
| 22.5 | 1967-04-30 | 2 | 43°56'N / 92°21'W | 44°00'N / 92°14'W | 6.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Olmsted |
| 24.6 | 1964-04-13 | 2 | 43°57'N / 92°28'W | 44°00'N / 92°28'W | 3.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Olmsted |
| 24.8 | 1962-09-16 | 4 | 43°58'N / 92°27'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 34 | 250K | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 24.9 | 1979-07-03 | 2 | 43°57'N / 92°24'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 25.7 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 43°51'N / 92°10'W | 44°00'N / 92°05'W | 10.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Olmsted |
| 26.9 | 1951-09-12 | 3 | 44°38'N / 92°05'W | 44°41'N / 92°02'W | 3.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pepin |
| 27.6 | 1999-07-08 | 2 | 44°00'N / 91°54'W | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 3.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.0M | 60K | Winona |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down just northwest of Lewiston (Winona County), then moved into the middle of town and intensified. Numerous homes along Main Street had extensive damage with broken windows, damaged roofs and downed trees. One home had the entire roof taken off, while at least 4 cars were demolished from debris landing on them. A farm southeast of town had every building destroyed, except the house. Of the 1,300 population in Lewiston, only two people sustained minor injuries. Elsewhere across southeast Minnesota, spotters and law enforcement officials reported hail up to 2 inches in diameter along with trees and power lines knocked down. | |||||||||||
| 30.1 | 1962-09-16 | 2 | 43°51'N / 92°25'W | 43°53'N / 92°21'W | 3.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Olmsted |
| 30.7 | 1962-05-22 | 2 | 43°53'N / 92°29'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Olmsted | |
| 30.7 | 1958-05-24 | 3 | 44°51'N / 92°32'W | 44°37'N / 92°00'W | 30.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce |
| 30.8 | 1998-05-15 | 3 | 44°36'N / 91°50'W | 44°40'N / 91°50'W | 5.00 Miles | 66 Yards | 0 | 6 | 100K | 0 | Pepin |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down in northern Buffalo County, and continued on ground for 9 miles into eastern Pepin County. Two homes were destroyed in Pepin County. House collapse injured 6 family members. Trailer home also damaged. Tornado rated F3 for a brief time east of Durand, however most of its damage track rated F1. | |||||||||||
| 31.4 | 1979-10-03 | 2 | 44°43'N / 92°27'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 31.5 | 1980-06-05 | 2 | 43°58'N / 91°51'W | 43°53'N / 91°51'W | 5.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winona |
| 31.8 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 44°12'N / 91°51'W | 44°36'N / 91°22'W | 36.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Buffalo |
| 34.2 | 2010-07-14 | 2 | 44°45'N / 92°21'W | 44°49'N / 92°15'W | 6.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Several sheds and outbuildings were destroyed, as were a couple of barns. Hundreds of trees were snapped. The tornado was accompanied by strong rear flank downdraft winds that also knocked down numerous trees. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The morning of Wednesday July 14th had a complex of severe thunderstorms moving across eastern North Dakota, into portions of west-central and central Minnesota. This complex moved eastward during the morning, and intensified across portions of east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Several waves of severe thunderstorms developed across west-central Wisconsin and began to reform westward into Minnesota by the early afternoon. These severe storms that reformed in east-central Minnesota, quickly moved into west-central Wisconsin by the mid afternoon and caused tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. In addition to the winds and hail, several inches of rainfall caused flooding in Polk, Barron, St Croix and Rusk Counties. | |||||||||||
| 34.5 | 1997-06-15 | 2 | 44°46'N / 92°02'W | 44°46'N / 92°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Dunn |
| Brief Description: Three silos, machine shed, barn and several trees damaged or destroyed. Pieces of shed found 1 mile away. Numerous trees and power lines down. | |||||||||||
| 34.8 | 1967-07-22 | 2 | 44°49'N / 92°23'W | 44°46'N / 92°12'W | 9.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Pierce |
| 35.3 | 2010-07-14 | 2 | 44°46'N / 92°34'W | 44°48'N / 92°16'W | 15.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pierce |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Several barns and sheds were destroyed, and structural damage was noted at some homes. Many trees were broken or snapped. This tornado was accompanied by strong rear flank downdraft winds, which also knocked down trees and damaged some sheds. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The morning of Wednesday July 14th had a complex of severe thunderstorms moving across eastern North Dakota, into portions of west-central and central Minnesota. This complex moved eastward during the morning, and intensified across portions of east-central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Several waves of severe thunderstorms developed across west-central Wisconsin and began to reform westward into Minnesota by the early afternoon. These severe storms that reformed in east-central Minnesota, quickly moved into west-central Wisconsin by the mid afternoon and caused tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. In addition to the winds and hail, several inches of rainfall caused flooding in Polk, Barron, St Croix and Rusk Counties. | |||||||||||
| 35.3 | 1987-07-27 | 3 | 44°34'N / 92°43'W | 44°28'N / 93°02'W | 20.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Goodhue |
| 36.1 | 1982-09-12 | 2 | 44°46'N / 91°56'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dunn | |
| 37.3 | 1977-07-14 | 2 | 43°42'N / 92°16'W | 43°48'N / 92°08'W | 9.20 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 38.7 | 1981-06-14 | 2 | 44°51'N / 92°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce | |
| 39.0 | 1951-09-12 | 3 | 44°41'N / 92°02'W | 44°55'N / 91°45'W | 21.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dunn |
| 40.3 | 1971-09-28 | 2 | 44°49'N / 92°01'W | 44°52'N / 91°55'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dunn |
| 41.1 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°30'N / 93°02'W | 44°31'N / 92°59'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 4.0M | 0 | Goodhue |
| Brief Description: The Northfield tornado (which originated in Rice County) dissipated on the south side of Lake Byllesby, but not before destroying several sheds and causing minor damage to 12 homes. | |||||||||||
| 42.2 | 1960-06-28 | 2 | 44°34'N / 91°35'W | 44°32'N / 91°20'W | 12.20 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Buffalo |
| 42.5 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 43°30'N / 92°23'W | 43°51'N / 92°10'W | 26.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 42.7 | 1958-06-04 | 5 | 44°54'N / 92°20'W | 44°55'N / 92°09'W | 8.60 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 20 | 25.0M | 0 | St. Croix |
| 42.8 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°05'W | 44°30'N / 93°02'W | 3.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.0M | 0 | Dakota |
| Brief Description: The Northfield tornado (which originated in Rice County) crossed Highway 19 into extreme southeastern Dakota County, then went into Goodhue County. Five homes sustained major damage, including one with its roof completely removed. 12 other homes received minor damage. Several motorists barely made it into nearby homes before the tornado struck. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1953-05-10 | 2 | 44°50'N / 92°40'W | 44°51'N / 92°39'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pierce | ||
| 44.0 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 44°29'N / 93°12'W | 44°35'N / 92°55'W | 15.40 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Dakota |
| 45.5 | 1998-05-30 | 2 | 44°53'N / 91°46'W | 44°50'N / 91°46'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 8 | 400K | 0 | Dunn |
| Brief Description: Two people severely injured during house collapse. Two homes destroyed. Several barns and sheds were also demolished. 6 people suffered minor injuries. One mobile home destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 45.5 | 1958-06-04 | 5 | 44°55'N / 92°09'W | 44°57'N / 91°55'W | 11.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 20 | 54 | 25.0M | 0 | Dunn |
| 45.7 | 2001-05-09 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°10'W | 44°28'N / 93°05'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 9.0M | 0 | Rice |
| Brief Description: NWS damage survey rated the tornado an F2. Tornado touched down briefly in downtown Northfield, flipping over a semi trailer truck and lifting the roof off of one business. Three-fourths mile later, it touched down again on the east side of Northfield, and then remained on the ground for 11 miles. After being in Rice County for 5 miles, it crossed Highway 19 into Dakota County and then dissipated in Goodhue County 4 miles west of Cannon Falls, for a total of 12 miles. Numerous rear flank downdraft gusts estimated at 90 mph caused damage alongside the southern periphery of tornado track. One man sustained minor injuries when he was blown from a tractor, but did not require hospitalization. A total of 8 homes received major damage, 22 more had minor damage, and a turkey processing plant was destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 45.9 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 43°30'N / 92°36'W | 43°48'N / 92°22'W | 23.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mower |
| 46.0 | 1982-05-17 | 3 | 44°06'N / 93°13'W | 44°12'N / 93°04'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Steele |
| 46.6 | 1987-07-27 | 3 | 44°28'N / 93°02'W | 44°26'N / 93°16'W | 10.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Rice |
| 47.4 | 1958-05-24 | 3 | 44°58'N / 92°46'W | 44°51'N / 92°32'W | 13.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | St. Croix |
| 48.2 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°41'N / 91°44'W | 43°51'N / 91°27'W | 18.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Houston |
| 48.5 | 1971-07-18 | 2 | 45°01'N / 92°12'W | 44°52'N / 91°32'W | 34.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dunn |
| 49.6 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 43°53'N / 93°05'W | 43°54'N / 93°03'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0K | Steele |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This EF-2 tornado touched down and tracked east-northeast, and soon crossed the path of the Blooming Prairie EF-3 that had moved north-northeast about 10 minutes earlier. A manufactured home was obliterated by the EF-2. A woman inside the home was blown about 20 feet, but was found under debris, rescued by law enforcement, and survived. The tornado continued moving east-northeast, and several outbuildings were destroyed, along with many broken trees. The tornado continued into Dodge County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 50.0 | 1965-05-05 | 3 | 43°51'N / 91°27'W | 43°55'N / 91°21'W | 6.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Winona |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.