Heavy Rains Over the Western Twin Cities:
September 3-4, 2005
A slow moving warm front spawned waves of thunderstorms over central and east central Minnesota
over Labor Day Weekend. The first wave began with lighter thunderstorms during the
afternoon of Saturday, September 3rd. Later in the evening and during the overnight
hours a line of heavy thunderstorms developed in a "training" pattern over the western
Twin Cities metropolitan area and moved south. People had difficulty sleeping with the
nearly constant rumbles of thunder all night long. When dawn came on Sunday, September
4th the rains totaled a half-foot in a few spots in the south west metro. The heaviest
rains fell in a very narrow band following I-94 from Alexandria and then turned to the
south along I-35 across the Twin Cities.
The most rain reported was 6.62 inches near Elko in New Market. 6.17 inches was reported in
nearby Cedar Lake Township. 5.66 inches was reported 2 miles southwest of the downtown
Chanhassen. The National Weather Service picked up 5.55 inches. The heavy rains caused
street flooding in low lying areas. Some roads were blocked by water for a brief time.
Water was up to the bumpers of cars in a parking lot in Excelsior. Other cities that
experienced street flooding were Shakopee, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park.
A bluff slump happened along Highway 101 in Chanhassen but didn't impact the road. The
water seemed to recede quite quickly. Police also blocked off some streets in Sauk Center
due to street flooding.
large hail and damaging thunderstorm winds also accompanied the storms. Numerous reports
of hail were reported across the western Metro area. Golf-ball sized hail was reported
near Hutchinson and parts of Brooklyn Park. Lightning caused damage to three houses in
Minnetrista, Eden Prairie and Mound. Winds damaged hangars at the airport in Faribault.
The State Climatology Office thanks the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the National Weather Service, and
all of the diligent volunteer precipitation observers who make analyses of these events possible.
Radar imagery from the Chanhassen National Weather Service depicts the storm rainfall total.
Listed below are National Weather Service Statements about the heavy rain and severe storms.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
835 PM CDT SUN SEP 4 2005
...RAINFALL TOTALS BETWEEN MIDDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING...
HEAVY RAIN FELL FROM NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH THE
SOUTHERN HALF OF MINNESOTA BETWEEN MIDDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
MORNING. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT AS MUCH AS 8 INCHES MAY HAVE
FALLEN IN SOME LOCATIONS.
THE AREAS THAT RECEIVED THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL INCLUDED THE WESTERN
HALF OF THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA...ALONG AND JUST SOUTH
OF THE INTERSTATE 94 CORRIDOR FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO ALEXANDRIA...
AND WEST OF THE INTERSTATE 35 CORRIDOR FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO
OWATONNA.
HERE IS A LIST OF RAINFALL TOTALS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR DEDICATED
COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVERS...SPOTTERS AND AUTOMATED WEATHER
SENSORS.
LOCATION COUNTY AMOUNT IN INCHES
CHANHASSEN 2SW CARVER 5.66
CHANHASSEN NWS OFFICE CARVER 5.55
EDEN PRAIRIE MIDDLE SCHOOL HENNEPIN 5.40
EDEN PRAIRIE AIRPORT HENNEPIN 5.37
SHAKOPEE SUN PATH ELEM SCH SCOTT 4.76
MINNETONKA HENNEPIN 4.20
WAYZATA WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL HENNEPIN 3.85
ELK RIVER SHERBURNE 3.50
FARIBAULT JEFFERSON MS RICE 3.24
ALEXANDRIA AIRPORT DOUGLAS 3.19
CHASKA CARVER 3.09
MPLS CRYSTAL AIRPORT HENNEPIN 2.80
WAYZATA CENTRAL MIDDLE SCH HENNEPIN 2.77
MOUND WESTONKA HIGH SCHOOL HENNEPIN 2.70
BROWNTON MCLEOD 2.62
PRIOR LAKE SCOTT 2.60
CHAMPLIN HENNEPIN 2.50
MELROSE AREA HIGH SCHOOL STEARNS 2.40
GOLDEN VALLEY HENNEPIN 2.25
FRIDLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL ANOKA 2.13
NEW HOPE HENNEPIN 2.07
MPLS/ST PAUL INTL AIRPORT HENNEPIN 1.33
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
839 AM CDT SUN SEP 04 2005
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0125 PM HAIL SUNBURG 45.35N 95.24W
09/03/2005 1.75 INCH KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0150 PM HAIL NEW LONDON 45.30N 94.95W
09/03/2005 1.75 INCH KANDIYOHI MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0245 PM FLOOD SAUK CENTRE 45.74N 94.96W
09/03/2005 STEARNS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
WATER DEPARTMENT REPORTS FLOODING PROBLEMS
0327 PM HAIL PAYNESVILLE 45.38N 94.72W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH STEARNS MN TRAINED SPOTTER
DIME SIZE HAIL
0330 PM FLASH FLOOD PAYNESVILLE 45.38N 94.72W
09/03/2005 STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
MN HIGHWAY 22 BETWEEN HIGHWAY 34 AND 43 6 INCHES WATER ON ROAD
0332 PM TSTM WND DMG PAYNESVILLE 45.38N 94.72W
09/03/2005 STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
POWER LINES DOWN
0335 PM HAIL EDEN VALLEY 45.33N 94.55W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
3/4 INCH HAIL
0410 PM HAIL HOWARD LAKE 45.06N 94.07W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH WRIGHT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
MARBLE HAIL
0415 PM TSTM WND DMG HUTCHINSON 44.89N 94.37W
09/03/2005 MCLEOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER
6-8 INCH TREE LIMBS DOWN NEAR HUTCHINSON
0435 PM TSTM WND GST GLENCOE 44.77N 94.15W
09/03/2005 52 MPH MCLEOD MN AWOS
60 MPH GUST
0500 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 1 SE JORDAN 44.66N 93.62W
09/03/2005 SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0520 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 W FARIBAULT 44.30N 93.34W
09/03/2005 RICE MN NWS EMPLOYEE
BOATS FLIPPED AND LOST.
0530 PM TSTM WND DMG MORRISTOWN 44.22N 93.44W
09/03/2005 RICE MN AMATEUR RADIO
3 FT DIAMETER TREES DOWN
0535 PM TSTM WND DMG FARIBAULT 44.30N 93.27W
09/03/2005 RICE MN AMATEUR RADIO
DAMAGE TO ACGT HANGERS AND TREES GREATER THAN 1 FT DOWN
0625 PM FLASH FLOOD HOLDINGFORD 45.73N 94.47W
09/03/2005 STEARNS MN FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
STREET FLOODING
0625 PM HAIL HOLDINGFORD 45.73N 94.47W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
0625 PM HAIL HOLDINGFORD 45.73N 94.47W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
0625 PM HAIL HOLDINGFORD 45.73N 94.47W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
0655 PM FLASH FLOOD FREEPORT 45.66N 94.69W
09/03/2005 STEARNS MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
STREET FLOODING
0725 PM HAIL ROCKVILLE 45.47N 94.34W
09/03/2005 1.75 INCH STEARNS MN AMATEUR RADIO
0805 PM HAIL HAWICK 45.31N 94.81W
09/03/2005 1.75 INCH KANDIYOHI MN AMATEUR RADIO
0840 PM HAIL EDEN PRAIRIE 44.85N 93.46W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
DIME SIZE HAIL
0845 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 W ATWATER 45.14N 94.82W
09/03/2005 KANDIYOHI MN PUBLIC
TREES DOWN ON HOME
0911 PM HAIL CEDAR MILLS 44.95N 94.52W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH MEEKER MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0915 PM TSTM WND DMG GOLDEN VALLEY 44.99N 93.36W
09/03/2005 HENNEPIN MN AMATEUR RADIO
4 INCH TREE BRANCHES DOWN ON THEODORE WORTH PARKWAY
0940 PM HAIL 2 W LITCHFIELD 45.12N 94.57W
09/03/2005 1.75 INCH MEEKER MN TRAINED SPOTTER
QUARTER TO GOLF BALL HAIL
1008 PM HAIL 2 N NEW PRAGUE 44.58N 93.57W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIME SIZE HAIL
1008 PM HAIL 2 N NEW PRAGUE 44.58N 93.57W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIME SIZE HAIL
1008 PM HAIL 2 N NEW PRAGUE 44.58N 93.57W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIME SIZE HAIL
1008 PM HAIL 2 N NEW PRAGUE 44.58N 93.57W
09/03/2005 0.75 INCH SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIME SIZE HAIL
1030 PM HAIL ARLINGTON 44.61N 94.08W
09/03/2005 0.88 INCH SIBLEY MN TRAINED SPOTTER
1032 PM HAIL STEWART 44.73N 94.49W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH MCLEOD MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
1116 PM HAIL STEWART 44.73N 94.49W
09/03/2005 1.00 INCH MCLEOD MN AMATEUR RADIO
1131 PM HAIL 2 NE WATERVILLE 44.24N 93.55W
09/03/2005 0.88 INCH LE SUEUR MN AMATEUR RADIO
1234 AM HAIL GIBBON 44.54N 94.52W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH SIBLEY MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
HAIL COVERING THE GROUND.
1249 AM HAIL 7 NNE HUTCHINSON 44.98N 94.32W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH MCLEOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER
1254 AM HAIL 7 NNE HUTCHINSON 44.98N 94.32W
09/04/2005 2.00 INCH MCLEOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0114 AM HAIL 5 SSE DASSEL 45.01N 94.27W
09/04/2005 1.75 INCH MEEKER MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0138 AM HAIL MEDINA 45.03N 93.60W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0152 AM HAIL BUFFALO 45.18N 93.87W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH WRIGHT MN PUBLIC
0238 AM HAIL WINSTED 44.97N 94.05W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH MCLEOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0344 AM HAIL ELK RIVER 45.33N 93.57W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH SHERBURNE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0355 AM HAIL ELK RIVER 45.33N 93.57W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH SHERBURNE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0358 AM HAIL ELK RIVER 45.33N 93.57W
09/04/2005 1.25 INCH SHERBURNE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
REPORTED BY NWS EMPLOYEE.
0406 AM HAIL MAPLE PLAIN 45.01N 93.66W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0426 AM HAIL VICTORIA 44.87N 93.66W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH CARVER MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0450 AM HAIL RAMSEY 45.26N 93.45W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH ANOKA MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0528 AM HAIL CHASKA 44.82N 93.61W
09/04/2005 1.75 INCH CARVER MN PUBLIC
0531 AM HAIL EDEN PRAIRIE 44.85N 93.46W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0535 AM HAIL CHANHASSEN 44.86N 93.56W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH CARVER MN NWS EMPLOYEE
HAIL COVERING THE GROUND AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.
0600 AM FLASH FLOOD SHAKOPEE 44.77N 93.48W
09/04/2005 SCOTT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
WATER TO THE ROOFS OF CARS IN A LOW SPOT IN TOWN.
0601 AM HAIL EXCELSIOR 44.94N 93.56W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER REPORTED NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL COVERING HIS DECK.
0604 AM HAIL BROOKLYN PARK 45.11N 93.35W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
0605 AM HAIL MAPLE GROVE 45.11N 93.46W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0610 AM HAIL SHOREWOOD 44.90N 93.59W
09/04/2005 1.75 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0618 AM HAIL BROOKLYN PARK 45.11N 93.35W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0620 AM HAIL BROOKLYN PARK 45.11N 93.35W
09/04/2005 2.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0621 AM HAIL CHANHASSEN 44.86N 93.56W
09/04/2005 0.88 INCH CARVER MN NWS EMPLOYEE
METEOROLOGIST IN CHARGE NOTICES HAIL COVERING THE GROUND AT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.
0627 AM HAIL CRYSTAL 45.04N 93.36W
09/04/2005 1.00 INCH HENNEPIN MN AIRPLANE PILOT
REPORT APPEARED IN A PIREP FROM KMIC.
0642 AM HAIL NEW HOPE 45.04N 93.39W
09/04/2005 0.75 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER
0709 AM FLASH FLOOD EXCELSIOR 44.94N 93.56W
09/04/2005 HENNEPIN MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING ACROSS STREETS AND PARKING LOTS IN THE CITY OF EXCELSIOR.
0711 AM FLASH FLOOD BROOKLYN PARK 45.11N 93.35W
09/04/2005 HENNEPIN MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING REPORTED IN THE CITY OF BROOKLYN
PARK BY THE HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF.
0723 AM FLASH FLOOD FRIDLEY 45.08N 93.26W
09/04/2005 ANOKA MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
CAR SUBMERGED.
0730 AM FLASH FLOOD CHANHASSEN 44.86N 93.56W
09/04/2005 CARVER MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING AT SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE
CITY OF CHANHASSEN.
Return to Minnesota Climatology Working Group Main Page
URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff050904.htm
Last modified: September 9, 2005
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