Deadly Tornado Strikes Enderlin, North Dakota
A severe tornado tore through the rural town of Enderlin, North Dakota, late Friday, claiming three lives and causing widespread damage. Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner confirmed that two men and one woman died at two separate locations around the town, located roughly 57 miles southwest of Fargo.
The tornado was part of a broader, powerful storm system battering the upper Midwest, bringing destructive winds, large hail, and tornadic activity across North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Tornado Strength and Aftermath
Timothy Lynch, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Grand Forks, confirmed the event as a tornado but noted that investigators were still working to determine its intensity and peak wind speeds. The storm also impacted neighboring Cass and Ransom counties, with officials describing the event as “pretty major.”
The destruction left approximately 24,000 customers in North Dakota without power. Earlier reports indicated the tornado struck a home, resulting in two fatalities.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages in Minnesota
The storm’s violence stretched into Minnesota, where fierce winds caused significant damage. At Bemidji Regional Airport, wind gusts reached up to 106 mph (171 kph), one of the highest recorded in the area.
Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince described the chaotic scene: “I cannot ever recall hearing a rushing wind like that!” Residents emerged from basements to find neighborhoods littered with downed trees and multiple homes severely damaged.
Officials are also dealing with numerous downed power lines and gas leaks. The damage is described as extensive in the Bemidji area, with nearly 34,000 power outages reported. Many local businesses remained closed due to the outages.
Storm Moves Eastward with Lingering Threats
The storm system is weakening as it moves across Michigan and lower Ontario, Canada, but forecasters warn it will still bring strong winds and hail to upstate New York by Saturday night into Sunday. Though less intense than the initial storm, the threat remains significant.
Record-Breaking Heat Sweeps Across Wide Regions
As if the storm’s devastation wasn’t enough, a massive heat wave is gripping a large swath of the country. Nearly 59 million Americans are under extreme heat warnings, particularly in the Northern Plains and Midwest, where temperatures are running up to 20 degrees above normal.
States including Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa are seeing sweltering conditions with some locations expected to hit triple-digit heat — unusual for June, as temperatures typically peak in July.
Forecasters highlight that many of these regions recently experienced cooler, wetter weather, making the sudden heat spike even more jarring.
Precautions and Regional Heat Impact
- Cooling centers have opened in major cities like Omaha and Minneapolis to help residents cope with dangerous heat levels.
- Another 84 million people are under heat advisories as the heat wave progresses eastward toward the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions.
- The heat risk in these areas is rated at the highest category, signaling severe threats through early next week.
- Conversely, parts of the Great Basin and Southwest are enjoying relief with below-normal temperatures.
Impact Summary
This dual threat of extreme weather — from deadly tornadoes to relentless heat waves — underscores the volatile and dangerous conditions affecting millions across the U.S. Emergency officials continue monitoring the situation, urging vigilance as the storm system shifts east and heat intensifies across the country.
