Minnesota Summary

From 1980–2024 (as of November 1, 2024), there have been 61 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Minnesota. These events included 12 drought events, 5 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 38 severe storm events, 2 wildfire events, and 3 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 1.3 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 4.0 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Minnesota from 1980 to 2024* (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought120.319.7%$10.0B-$20.0B24.6%
Flooding50.18.2%$5.0B-$10.0B14.7%
Freeze10.01.6%$5M-$100M0.1%
Severe Storm380.862.3%$20.0B-$50.0B59.8%
Tropical Cyclone----------
Wildfire20.03.3%$100M-$250M0.2%
Winter Storm30.14.9%$100M-$250M0.5%
All Disasters611.4100.0%$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Drought120.324.0%$5.0B-$10.0B20.9%
Flooding50.110.0%$2.0B-$5.0B13.1%
Freeze10.02.0%$5M-$100M0.1%
Severe Storm290.658.0%$10.0B-$20.0B65.6%
Tropical Cyclone----------
Wildfire20.04.0%$5M-$100M0.2%
Winter Storm10.02.0%$5M-$100M0.2%
All Disasters501.1100.0%$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Minnesota Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)60.6$2.0B-$5.0B11.4%
1990s (1990-1999)80.8$5.0B-$10.0B20.6%
2000s (2000-2009)141.4$5.0B-$10.0B16.4%
2010s (2010-2019)111.1$5.0B-$10.0B19.3%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)204.0$10.0B-$20.0B32.3%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)175.7$10.0B-$20.0B27.2%
Last Year (2023)77.0$2.0B-$5.0B8.1%
All Years (1980-2024)*611.4$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
1980s (1980-1989)30.3$1.0B-$2.0B5.2%
1990s (1990-1999)60.6$2.0B-$5.0B15.3%
2000s (2000-2009)101.0$2.0B-$5.0B13.4%
2010s (2010-2019)90.9$5.0B-$10.0B20.0%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)204.0$10.0B-$20.0B45.3%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)175.7$10.0B-$20.0B38.9%
Last Year (2023)77.0$2.0B-$5.0B12.1%
All Years (1980-2024)*501.1$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Minnesota
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-AUnadjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
Central and Eastern Tornado Outbreak and Severe Weather
July 2024
Severe StormJuly 13, 2024July 16, 2024An outbreak producing more than 79 tornadoes developed across many central and eastern states. There were also over 1,000 reports of high wind and hail damage during this multi-day event. On July 15, this outbreak spawned 32 tornadoes and broke the Chicago-area record for the most tornadoes in a day. The states most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York that experienced considerable damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.$2.4 CI2
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
June 2024
Severe StormJune 12, 2024June 14, 2024Damaging hail, high wind and tornadoes impact several central and eastern states including Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania on June 12-14. Central and northern Minnesota received damage from quarter to golf ball sized hail while the metro region of Omaha, Nebraska experienced up to baseball sized hail damaging homes, vehicles and businesses. There were also two dozen tornadoes and hundreds of damaging wind reports across these states.$1.2 CI0
Central, Southern, Eastern Severe Weather
May 2024
Severe StormMay 18, 2024May 22, 2024Severe storms across many central, southern and eastern states produced widespread impacts from several dozen tornadoes, severe hail and high winds. The states most impacted were Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and Wisconsin, as each experienced considerable damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and additional infrastructure. On May 21, an EF-4 tornado cut a 44-mile path across southeast Iowa, with peak wind speeds of 175-185 mph. The town of Greenfield, Iowa was heavily damaged. Multiple 'Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)' watches were issued by NOAA's National Weather Service for these states, during this multi-day sequence. Several eastern states also sustained high wind damage from these storms.$4.9 CI5
Minnesota Hail Storms
August 2023
Severe StormAugust 11, 2023August 11, 2023Numerous hail storms caused extensive damage across south-central Minnesota. Golf ball to baseball-sized hail caused damage to the windows, siding and roofs of many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.8 CI0
North Central and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2023
Severe StormJuly 28, 2023July 29, 2023Severe storms caused damage across several North Central and Eastern states. The state most impacted were Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. High wind, severe hail and tornadoes caused damage to many homes, vehicles, businesses and agriculture assets.$1.5 CI2
North Central and Southeastern Severe Weather
July 2023
Severe StormJuly 19, 2023July 21, 2023Severe storms caused damage across several North Central and Southeastern states. The states most impacted were Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia. Ping pong to golf ball-sized hail and high winds damaged many homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.$1.9 CI1
Northeastern Flooding and North Central Severe Weather
July 2023
FloodingJuly 9, 2023July 15, 2023Severe storms brought devastation and flooding to portions of the Northeast, as areas reported up to eight inches of rain within a 24-hour period. Montpelier, Vermont received a record-breaking 5.28 inches of rain, flooding the city and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The wide scale flooding in Vermont was similar to the flood impacts from Hurricane Irene in 2011. Early estimates put the flood damage in West Point, New York at more than $100 ($103.0) million. There was also considerable damage to roads, bridges and agriculture across the Northeast. Severe storms also caused high wind and hail impacts across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.$2.2 CI10
Central Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 19, 2023April 20, 2023Severe hail, scattered tornadoes and high winds caused damage across numerous central states. Central Oklahoma was impacted by a cluster of tornadoes. Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin was impacted by hail and high wind damage from severe storms.$3.1 CI1
Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather
March 2023
Severe StormMarch 31, 2023April 1, 2023A historic tornado outbreak across numerous central states caused widespread damage from at least 145 tornadoes. States most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania where there was severe damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.$5.9 CI33
North Central and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2022
Severe StormJuly 22, 2022July 24, 2022Severe weather with high winds and 19 tornadoes impact numerous states including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New York. Many homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure were damaged.$1.4 CI1
North Central Hail Storms
May 2022
Severe StormMay 19, 2022May 19, 2022Severe hail storms with numerous reports of golf-balled sized hail causing damage across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These hail storms were south of the hail storms that damaged many homes, vehicles and businesses just 10 days earlier on May 9.$2.6 CI0
North Central Severe Weather
May 2022
Severe StormMay 11, 2022May 12, 2022Severe weather causes tornado, hail and high wind damage across several states including South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hail and high winds impacted southern Minnesota including the cities of St. Cloud and the Minneapolis metro area. In addition, numerous reports of high wind damage occurred across eastern Nebraska. There were also more than two dozen tornadoes that impacted eastern South Dakota and central Minnesota causing damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and other infrastructure. $2.9 CI1
North Central Hail Storms
May 2022
Severe StormMay 9, 2022May 9, 2022Numerous hail storms caused extensive damage across south-central Minnesota and into western Wisconsin. There were many reports of golf ball to baseball-sized hail damaging homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.$2.4 CI0
Southern Severe Weather
April 2022
Severe StormApril 11, 2022April 13, 2022Severe weather including hundreds of damaging wind reports and dozens of tornadoes occurred across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky. On April 11, tornadoes and damaging hail was focused across central Arkansas causing damage to homes, vehicles, outbuildings and farms and vegetation. April 12 and 13 produced widespread high wind reports and dozens of tornadoes across central Mississippi, northeast Arkansas and west-central Kentucky. These tornadoes produced damage to homes, businesses, farms, outbuildings and other infrastructure. There was also considerable hail damage across Wisconsin and Minnesota.$2.9 CI1
Midwest Derecho and Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 15, 2021December 15, 2021A rare, record-breaking December derecho and tornado outbreak caused widespread damage that was focused across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. There were many reports of hurricane-force thunderstorm wind gusts and more than 50 tornadoes causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and infrastructure. This was the first December derecho on record to occur within the United States. This event also produced the first December tornado on record in Minnesota since 1950, with 17 tornadoes reported across southeast Minnesota.$2.0 CI1
Ohio Valley Hail Storms
June 2021
Severe StormJune 17, 2021June 18, 2021Damaging hail storm and high wind impacts across several states including Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. The hail impacts were most severe in southeastern Minnesota, southern Iowa, southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio, with damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$2.0 CI0
Central Severe Weather - Derecho
August 2020
Severe StormAugust 10, 2020August 10, 2020A powerful derecho traveled from southeast South Dakota to Ohio, a path of 770 miles in 14 hours producing widespread winds greater than 100 mph. The states most affected included Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio. This derecho caused widespread damage to millions of acres of corn and soybean crops across central Iowa. There was also severe damage to homes, businesses and vehicles particularly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition, there were 15 tornadoes across northeastern Illinois several affecting the Chicago metropolitan area. This is the third severe weather event (since 1980) with inflation-adjusted costs over $10.0 ($12.1) billion joining the late-April and May 2011 tornado outbreaks across the Southeastern and Central states, respectively.$13.3 CI4
Central Severe Weather
July 2020
Severe StormJuly 10, 2020July 11, 2020Central severe weather producing hundreds of severe hail and high wind reports across numerous states including Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. These storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.4 CI0
Missouri River and North Central Flooding
March 2019
FloodingMarch 14, 2019March 31, 2019Historic Midwest flooding inundated millions of acres of agriculture, numerous cities and towns, and caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, levees, and dams. The states most affected were Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. This flood was triggered by a powerful storm with heavy precipitation that intensified snow melt and flooding. Of note, the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was also severely flooded - the third U.S. military base to be damaged by a billion-dollar disaster event over a 6-month period (Sept 2018-Feb 2019). This historic flooding was one of the costliest U.S. inland flooding events on record.$13.4 CI3
Minnesota Hail Storm and Upper Midwest Severe Weather
June 2017
Severe StormJune 9, 2017June 11, 2017Severe hail and high winds cause considerable damage across Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minneapolis metro area in particular was damaged from large, destructive hail impacting many buildings and vehicles. This damage is comparable to the May 15, 1998 Minnesota hail storm that was also very costly.$3.0 CI0
North Central Severe Weather and Tornadoes
May 2017
Severe StormMay 15, 2017May 18, 2017Severe weather and tornadoes cause impacts across numerous north central states. The states most impacted were Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.$1.2* CI1
Midwest Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormMarch 6, 2017March 8, 2017Tornado outbreak and wind damage across many Midwestern states (AR, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, WI). Missouri and Illinois were impacted by numerous tornadoes while Michigan and New York were affected by destructive, straight-line winds following the storm system. Nearly one million customers lost power in Michigan alone due to sustained high winds, which affected several states from Illinois to New York.$2.8 CI2
Midwest Severe Weather
August 2013
Severe StormAugust 6, 2013August 7, 2013Severe weather and large hail causes considerable damage across Minnesota and Wisconsin.$1.4 CI0
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
2012
DroughtJanuary 1, 2012December 31, 2012The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.$41.7 CI123
Southern Plains/Midwest/Northeast Severe Weather
May 2012
Severe StormMay 25, 2012May 30, 2012Severe storms over the southern plains, midwest and northeast (TX, OK, KS, MN, PA, NY) with 27 confirmed tornadoes. Significant damage also from severe hail and straight-line winds.$3.2 CI1
Rockies and Midwest Derecho
July 10-11, 2011
Severe StormJuly 10, 2011July 11, 2011A derecho produced a wide swatch of high wind damage beginning east of the Rockies and across the central plains (CO, IA, IL, MI, MN, OH).$1.7 CI2
North Central Severe Weather
July 1, 2011
Severe StormJuly 1, 2011July 1, 2011Severe weather causes damage across several north central states. The regions most impacted were southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northern Illinois.$1.2* CI0
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes
May 2011
Severe StormMay 22, 2011May 27, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (MO, TX, OK, KS, AR, GA, TN, VA, KY, IN, IL, OH, WI, MN, PA) with an estimated 180 tornadoes. Notably, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, MO resulting in at least 160 deaths, making it the deadliest single tornado to strike the U.S. since modern tornado record keeping began in 1950.$12.6 CI177
Midwest Flooding
Summer 2008
FloodingApril 1, 2008June 30, 2008Heavy rain and flooding caused significant agricultural loss and property damage in IA, IL, IN, MO, MN, NE, and WI with IA being hardest hit with widespread rainfall totals ranging from 4 to over 16 inches.$14.8 CI24
Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather
June 2008
Severe StormJune 6, 2008June 12, 2008An outbreak of tornadoes and thunderstorms over the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic states (IA, IL, IN, KS, NE, MI, MN, MO, OK, WI, MD, VA, WV).$2.4 CI18
Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather
May 2008
Severe StormMay 22, 2008May 27, 2008Outbreak of tornadoes over the Midwest/Ohio Valley regions (IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, NE, OK, WY, CO) with 235 tornadoes confirmed.$4.4 CI13
Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 2007
DroughtJune 1, 2007November 30, 2007Severe drought with periods of extreme heat over most of the southeast and portions of the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes area, resulting in major reductions in crop yields, along with very low stream-flows and lake levels. Includes states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL, TN, VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, OH, MI, PA, NY.$5.5 CI15
Central Severe Weather
October 2006
Severe StormOctober 2, 2006October 5, 2006Severe storms cause high wind and hail damage across numerous states including OH, IL, IN, MI, MN and WI.$1.4* CI1
Midwest/Plains/Southeast Drought
Spring-Summer 2006
DroughtMarch 1, 2006August 31, 2006Rather severe drought affected crops especially during the spring-summer, centered over the Great Plains region with other areas affected across portions of the south -- including states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, MT, WY, CO, NM.$9.5 CI0
North Central Severe Weather and Tornadoes
August 2006
Severe StormAugust 23, 2006August 24, 2006Severe weather and tornadoes cause impacts across several north central states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.$1.2* CI1
Midwest/Plains Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 4, 2003July 9, 2003Severe storms affect the states IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, VA, WV across the Midwest and Plains.$1.5* CI7
North Central Severe Weather
May 2001
Severe StormApril 30, 2001May 1, 2001Severe weather produced impacts across several north central states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska.$1.2* CI0
Midwest/Ohio Valley Hail and Tornadoes
April 2001
Severe StormApril 6, 2001April 11, 2001Storms, tornadoes, and hail in the states of TX, OK, KS, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, WI, MI, OH, KY, WV, and PA, over a 6-day period.$5.5 CI3
Central and Eastern Severe Storms and Flooding
June 1998
Severe StormJune 20, 1998June 24, 1998Severe storms and flooding impact numerous Central and Eastern states. In particular, these storms and floods affected many residences and businesses throughout north-central and eastern Ohio. More than 7,000 homes were affected and more than 1,000 structures were completely destroyed or declared uninhabitable.$1.7* CI12
Northern Plains and Great Lakes Derecho, Tornadoes
June 1998
Severe StormMay 30, 1998June 2, 1998Severe storms in late May through early June hit the Midwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast$2.2 CI20
Minnesota Severe Storms/Hail
May 1998
Severe StormMay 15, 1998May 15, 1998Very damaging severe thunderstorms with large hail over wide areas of Minnesota$3.1 CI1
Northern Plains Flooding
Spring 1997
FloodingFebruary 3, 1997May 24, 1997Severe flooding in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota due to heavy spring snow melt. This flooding caused widespread damage to agriculture, infrastructure, homes and businesses.$7.2 CI11
Midwest/Plains Tornadoes
April 1994
Severe StormApril 25, 1994April 27, 1994Tornadoes and severe storms cause damage in states across the South, Southeast and Midwest. The states impacted include TX, OK, AR, CO, KS, NE, IA, SD, IL, IN, MN and MO.$2.1 CI3
Midwest Flooding
Summer 1993
FloodingJune 27, 1993August 15, 1993Severe, widespread flooding in central U.S. due to persistent heavy rains and thunderstorms. There was extensive damage to agriculture, infrastructure, homes and businesses in many areas across several states. Many river stations also established new records for historical flood heights. This is the most costly non-tropical, inland flood event to affect the United States on record.$46.3 CI48
Northern Plains and Ohio Valley Severe Weather
July 1993
Severe StormJuly 8, 1993July 10, 1993Severe storms caused high wind, hail and tornado damage across many Northern/Central Plains (NE, KS, MO, IA, MN, ND) and Ohio Valley states (IL, IN).$1.4* CI1
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1988
DroughtJune 1, 1988August 31, 19881988 drought across a large portion of the U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 5,000.$54.4 CI454
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1985
Winter StormJanuary 19, 1985January 22, 1985Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North$2.5* CI150
Midwest/Plains/Southeast Tornadoes
April 1982
Severe StormApril 2, 1982April 4, 1982Tornadoes and severe weather affect the states (AL, AR, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Plains and Southeast.$1.6* CI33
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85
Central/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 1980
DroughtJune 1, 1980November 30, 1980Central and eastern U.S. drought/heat wave caused damage to agriculture and other related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 10,000.$40.5 CI1,260

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

*Statistics valid as of November 1, 2024

Citing this information: