1969 — Aug 6, MN Tornado Outbreak, especially Roosevelt Lake area (11), MN — 15

–15 EDS, ESSA, US Dept. of Commerce. Storm Data, Vol. 11, No. 8, Aug 1969, p. 121.
–15 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1106-1107.
–15 NCEI/NOAA. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All Counties in [MN] Tornado.
–12 Cass County 15:20 F3
— 1 Aitkin County 16:50 F3
— 2 St. Louis County 17:50 F3

Narrative Information

Environmental Data Service, Storm Data: “Minnesota. During the day and evening August 6, two relatively large storm areas (radar echoes of 25-35 mile diameter, composed of several irregular cells) moved on a heading of 80⁰ and parallel. The centers were about 60 miles apart. The northerly storm area moved in from North Dakota between Fargo and Grand Forks and the southerly storm area of concern developed rapidly north of Wadena about 2:30pm and both storms moved across the state. From these two storm areas were spawned two major wind-hailstorms, twelve tornadoes and one water spout. The storm killed 15 persons, injured 106 persons, caused 4.8 million dollars property and public utility damage, 1.2 million dollars timber loss, 2.0 million dollars crop loss….”

Grazulis: “MN AUG 6, 1969 1548 12k 70inj 800y 33m F4. CROW WING / CASS / AITKIN—Moved NE from the east side of Stewart Lake, passing north of Outing, near Third Guide Lake, near Washburn Lake, to south of Hill City. Thousands of trees, dozens of cabins, and many farms were leveled by this massive tornado. At least 11 deaths occurred on the shores of Roosevelt Lake, and one person died near Reservoir Lake. About 40 children on vacation in this area were injured. Cars were thrown about, and trees were debarked. $2,150,000….

“MN AUG 6, 1969 1650 lk inj…F2.AITKIN–Moved ENE from west of Jacobson to near the county line. Two farm homes, seven outbuildings, and a small cabin were destroyed. A person was killed in the cabin….

“MN AUG 6, 1969 1750 2k 3inj 200y 21m F2. ST.LOUIS/LAKE—Moved E from the east side of Boulder Lake to 2m NE of Two Harbors. Two women were killed in the destruction of a cabin. Hundreds of trees were snapped and downed. $123,000….” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1106-1107.)

Sources

Environmental Data Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Storm Data, Vol. 11, No. 8, August 1969. Asheville, NC 1969. Accessed 3-24-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-0A57A377-2E08-4237-A7C6-002AF3FD27A2.pdf

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Storm Events Database. Search Results for All Counties in Minnesota. Event Types: Tornado. 15 events were reported on 08/06/1969. Accessed 3-24-2022 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=08&beginDate_dd=06&beginDate_yyyy=1969&endDate_mm=08&endDate_dd=06&endDate_yyyy=1969&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=27%2CMINNESOTA