Grand Forks, North Dakota

... EF2 tornado confirmed in Barnes County North Dakota...

The NWS storm damage survey team from Grand Forks has confirmed
an EF2 tornado in Barnes County from about 2 miles east of Sibley
to 11 miles north of Tower City in Cass County. The tornado began
at approximately 1230 am CDT on July 27 2010... and continued until
approximately 1 am CDT. The total path length was approximately 18
miles long. The tornado had a maximum width of four tenths of a mile.

The initial tornado touchdown occurred at a Farmstead about 2
miles east of Sibley. Several quonsets were heavily damaged... and
one was totally destroyed. Numerous trees were uprooted... and a
grain bin was destroyed and carried for one quarter of a mile.
Many other grain bins were also heavily damaged. Wind speeds at
this location were estimated around 110 mph... or a low end EF2
tornado.

The most significant damage from this tornado was done to a
Farmstead about 3 miles south of Pillsbury. A quonset building was
destroyed... and 2 other well constructed large farm equipment
storage buildings were heavily damaged with the roof torn off of
each building. This debris was deposited about one quarter of a
mile away from this Farmstead. The damage indicated wind speeds of
120 mph at this Farmstead... or EF2 damage.

In addition... the damage indicated that a weaker satellite
tornado occurred to the south of the main tornadic circulation
about 3 miles into the path of the main tornado. Damage with this
satellite tornado indicated a low end EF1 tornado with significant
tree damage in some areas due to wind speeds up to 95 mph.

In addition to the tornado damage... widespread straight line wind
damage was found in portions of western Barnes County into Cass
County. The most significant damage was noted about 13 miles south
of Hannaford near the Barnes and Griggs County line. Wind speeds
here were estimated near 100 mph and significant tree damage was
noted over a widespread area.