Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
723 NOUS43 KBIS 300246 PNSBIS NDZ001>005-009>013-017>023-025-031>037-040>048-050-051-301500- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Bismarck ND 946 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024 /846 PM MDT Thu Aug 29 2024/ ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 08/28/2024 THUNDERSTORM WIND EVENT NEAR STERLING IN BURLEIGH COUNTY AND TORNADO EVENT NEAR STEELE IN KIDDER COUNTY... .OVERVIEW... Severe thuderstorms struck south central North Dakota during the evening hours of Wednesday, August 28, 2024. The National Weather Service in Bismarck conducted a storm survey today, August 29, 2024, to survey two areas of significant damage. The first area surveyed was near Sterling in Burleigh County, ND. Significant damage occurred to crops, most notably a sunflower crop along and to the east of Highway 83 approximately two miles south of Sterling. Many parts of the field were flattened, with all damaged sunflowers pushed towards the east-southeast. In this location along Highway 83, power lines run along both side of the highway. Approximately 15 power poles were snapped. In additon, just to the south of Sterling a large grain bin was dislodged and fell to the east-southeast. Based on the damage, it was determined that straight line thunderstorm winds caused the damage, with speeds up to 100 mph between 704 PM CDT and 709 PM CDT. The second area surveyed was near Steele in Kidder County, ND, where multiple photos of a tornado were provided to the National Weather Service. Significant damage occurred to an oats crop approximately one mile east-southeast of Steele, with the plants twisted and downed in multiple directions. Approximately one mile east of Steele, over 40 empty train cars were knocked off the tracks. The tracks ran from west to east, with some cars falling north, and some falling south. In addition, near the derailed cars a grove of hardwood trees suffered damage, with a few trees uprooted. The tornado then lifted one mile northeast of Steele. Based upon the damage done, this tornado was rated EF-1 and from that, wind speeds were estimated to be around 100 mph. The time of tornado touch-down was determined to be at 753 PM CDT, while lifting at 755 PM CDT. The National Weather Service extends great appreciation to the Burleigh County Emergency Manager and to the Kidder County Emergency Manager, and other county officials and area residents. Their photos and event details were very valuable in determining what happened during this event. .THUNDERSTORM WIND EVENT NEAR STERLING IN BURLEIGH COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA... Peak wind /E/: 100 MPH Path length /Statute/: 5 MILES Path width /Maximum/: 4000 YARDS Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: 08/28/2024 Start time: 704 PM CDT Start location: CENTERED 2 SOUTHWEST OF STERLING, BURLEIGH COUNTY, ND Start Lat/Lon: 46.790681/-100.319828 End date: 08/28/2024 End time: 709 PM CDT End location: CENTERED 4 SOUTHEAST OF STERLING, BURLEIGH COUNTY, ND End lat/lon: 46.774697/-100.238847 .TORNADO NEAR STEELE IN KIDDER COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA... Rating: EF-1 Estimated peak wind: 100 MPH Path length /Statute/: 0.86 MILES Path width /Maximum/: 300 YARDS Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: 08/28/2024 Start time: 753 PM CDT Start location: 1 ESE STEELE, KIDDER COUNTY, ND Start Lat/Lon: 46.851597/-99.897842 End date: 08/28/2024 End time: 755 PM CDT End location: 1 NE STEELE, KIDDER COUNTY, ND End_lat/lon: 46.863306/-99.891458 NOTE: The information in this statement is PRELIMINARY and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ SCHILD/TELKEN/HOLLAN