Damage to New Ulm after the tornado | |
Date of tornado outbreak: | July 15, 1881 |
Duration1: | 4 hours |
Maximum rated tornado2: | F4 tornado |
Tornadoes caused: | at least 6 |
Damages: | |
Fatalities: | 24 |
Areas affected: | Southern Minnesota |
1Time from first tornado to last tornado |
The 1881 Minnesota tornado outbreak was a deadly tornado outbreak that struck southern Minnesota on July 15, 1881. At least six tornadoes touched down between 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm CST, killing 24 people and injuring 123.
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A tornado estimated at F4 strength passed through the town of New Ulm at 3:30 pm. The town was hard hit; six people were killed and 247 buildings were damaged or destroyed.[1]
In addition to the New Ulm tornado, five other tornades were recorded across the southern Minnesota counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Renville, Sibley, and Watonwan. At least one of these tornadoes was also estimated at F4 strength,[1] and at least 12 people were killed on farms.[2]