Tornado outbreak of June 7–8, 1984 explained

Duration:~12 hours
Tornadoes:46
Fujita-Scale:F5
Year:1984
Deaths:13
Injuries:332
Damages:$40 million in Wisconsin alone (1984 USD)[1]
$ (USD)
Affected:Midwestern United States
Season:tornado outbreaks of 1984

The Tornado outbreak of June 7–8, 1984 was a significant severe weather and tornado event that took place across the central United States from North Dakota to Kansas on June 7–8, 1984. The tornado outbreak produced several significant tornadoes including an F5 tornado[2] [3] which traveled through Barneveld, Wisconsin, in the early hours of June 8, 1984. The entire outbreak killed at least 13 people across three states including 9 in Barneveld alone.[2]

Meteorological synopsis

A low-pressure system entered the Midwestern United States on June 7, 1984, and intensified while bringing a surge of moist and humid air coming from the Gulf of Mexico. After most of the affected areas were hit by a mesoscale convective complex earlier during the morning of June 7, the unstable atmosphere, as well as wind shear and high CAPE values produced a favorable environment for the development of extensive severe weather with possible tornadoes.[4] Starting at around mid-afternoon, it started to produce several tornadoes across southern Minnesota and northwestern and southern Iowa including three F3s and a long-track F4 which traveled over 130 miles from extreme northern Missouri to southwest of Iowa City. That tornado killed 3 people including one in Missouri's Harrison County. Another person was killed in Ringgold County in Iowa by an F2 tornado at around 9:00pm CDT. Activity continued through the overnight hours as a new cluster of storms developed across Wisconsin near the Iowa and Illinois borders and produced strong tornadoes including the Barneveld tornado up until the early morning hours of June 8, 1984, before dissipating.

Straight-line winds in excess of 100 mph and very large hail were also reported in eastern Iowa from the storm that went on to drop the tornado in Barneveld, Wisconsin.

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes – June 7–8, 1984
Location County StateTime (CST) Path length Damage
F1SW of KingsleyWoodbury, PlymouthIowa14457 miles
(11.2 km)
F2W of CherokeeCherokeeIowa151410 miles
(16 km)
F2N of GalvaIdaIowa154216 miles
(26.6 km)
F2NW of Grant to SE of AnitaCassIowa154323 miles
(36.8 km)
Tornado struck 29 farms, causing severe damage to homes, outbuildings, and farm equipment. A fertilizer plant was destroyed.
F1E of PrimgharO'BrienIowa16046 miles
(9.6 km)
F2E of Ida GroveIdaIowa161012 miles
(19.2 km)
F2N of Storm LakeBuena VistaIowa16124 miles
(6.4 km)
Outbuildings were destroyed at several farms and homes sustained considerable damage.
F2Laurens to RodmanPocahontas, Palo AltoIowa161725 miles
(40 km)
Multiple vortex tornado tore the roof off of a warehouse and destroyed outbuildings. Farm homes sustained significant damage. Glass and debris was found embedded in carpet and furniture. Livestock was killed and two people were injured.
F3Clarinda to S of CorningPage, Taylor, AdamsIowa162025 miles
(40 km)
25 homes were damaged on the north side of Clarinda, one of which was destroyed, along with a trailer. Farm sheds and outbuildings were destroyed, and livestock were killed. Three people were injured.
F1N of EverlyClayIowa16231 miles
(1.6 km)
F2Spencer areaClayIowa16302 miles
(3.2 km)
Five homes were damaged, two of which had their roofs torn off.
F2E of HavelockPocahontasIowa17008 miles
(12.8 km)
Three farms were badly damaged and 24 pigs were killed.
F2NW of Hardy to N of DenhartHumboldt, Kossuth, HancockIowa171522 miles
(35.2 km)
Multiple farms sustained severe damage, with trailers, vehicles, equipment, and outbuildings damaged. Barns were destroyed as well.
F3Burt areaKossuthIowa17159 miles
(14.4 km)
The Presbyterian church in town sustained major roof and structural damage. The school sustained roof damage and a wall collapsed on the second floor. 25 homes sustained substantial damage and several trailers were destroyed. Five people were injured.
F2SW of German Valley to SW of ScarvilleKossuth, WinnebagoIowa172921 miles
(33.6 km)
A school sustained roof damage and a nearby house lost its roof entirely. A poorly built house was leveled, and another had a 2x4 driven three feet into it. Papers from the unroofed house were found 100 miles away in Minnesota.
F2SW of Crystal Lake to SW of Kiester MNHancock, WinnebagoIowa174518 miles
(29.8 km)
A school and grain elevator in Crystal Lake were damaged, and a large grain bin was destroyed. Barns, sheds, garages, trees, vehicles, a house, and several trailers were damaged as well.
F1E of LucasLucasIowa18540.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F2E / SE of Mount Ayr, Iowa, near State of Iowa Highway to the N / NW of KellertonRinggoldIowa194514 miles
(23.4 km)
1 death – Six homes were destroyed and 12 others were damaged. Fatality occurred in a trailer. Three people were injured.
F1SW of CorydonWayneIowa20330.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F2N of Kinross to N of RiversideKeokuk, Washington, JohnsonIowa203324 miles
(38.4 km)
Damage to trees, outbuildings, vehicles and homes. A church had its windows blown out and most of its roof torn off. 13 homes were damaged in the Windham area and one person was injured.
F0S of CarsonGrantNorth Dakota15300.3 miles
(0.5 km)
F2NW of BurlingtonWardNorth Dakota16370.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F0NW of HambergWellsNorth Dakota17590.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F2S of PadoniaBrownKansas153318 miles
(29.8 km)
Five farmhouses, four trailers, and 43 farm buildings were destroyed. 33 other homes and 97 other farm buildings were damaged. Four trucks were overturned on highways near Hiawatha. One indirect fatality occurred as a result of a heart attack.
F4N of Brooklyn, Missouri to SW of Windham, IowaHarrison, Missouri, Decatur, Iowa, Wayne, Lucas, Monroe, Mahaska, Keokuk, IowaMissouri1745134 miles
(214.4 km)
3 deaths – Numerous barns, mobile homes, and farm houses were completely destroyed. Part of a drive-in movie screen from near Cambria was found near Derby. Tornado devastated the small community of Wright and produced high-end F4 damage to the northwest side of Delta. Nearby farms sustained similar devastation. A couple was killed when their car was thrown, and the other fatality occurred in a mobile home.
F2E of WinstonDaviessMissouri21301 miles
(1.6 km)
F2Jamesport areaDaviessMissouri22003 miles
(4.8 km)
Homes, farm buildings, and trailers were damaged or destroyed. One person was injured.
F1SE of Pawnee CityPawneeNebraska18000.3 miles
(0.5 km)
F1E of Albert LeaFreebornMinnesota18156 miles
(9.6 km)
F3NE of Albert Lea to W of EllendaleFreebornMinnesota181914 miles
(23.4 km)
The Albert Lea Ambulance Service building was destroyed on the south side of town. 13 homes and 4 businesses were destroyed. 52 homes, 8 commercial properties, and 16 farms were damaged as well. Some of the homes were ripped from their foundations. 12 people were injured.
F1E of WaldorfWasecaMinnesota18201 miles
(1.6 km)
F1W of OaklandFreeborn, SteeleMinnesota182510 miles
(16 km)
F2S of AustinMowerMinnesota18365 miles
(8 km)
A bowling alley was badly damaged, where 6 people were injured. A house and a TV repair shop across the street were destroyed. A total of 7 people were injured.
F1NE of DouglasOlmstedMinnesota19151 miles
(1.6 km)
F0NW of WastedoGoodhueMinnesota19352.5 miles
(4 km)
F2NE of StanleyChippewa, ClarkWisconsin210012 miles
(19.2 km)
Two barns were flattened and two machine sheds were destroyed.
F1SE of PhillipsPriceWisconsin22301 mile
(1.6 km)
F2S of Belmont to E of Mineral PointLafayette, IowaWisconsin233011 miles
(17.6 km)
Mostly tree damage occurred with this tornado, but a house and outbuildings were destroyed and a house was unroofed. Tornado dissipated just outside Mineral Point.
F5S / SW of Ridgeway, Wisconsin to NW of DaneIowa, DaneWisconsin234136 miles
(57.6 km)
9 deaths – See section about this tornado – 200 people were injured.
F2DeForest to S of South RandolphDane, ColumbiaWisconsin001018 miles
(28.8 km)
Two homes in DeForest had their roofs torn off. 22 grain bins were destroyed as well.
F2SE of Arlington to RioColumbiaWisconsin002516 miles
(26.6 km)
A barn, a garage, and sheds were destroyed.
F3NE of Rio to MarkesanColumbia, Green LakeWisconsin004129 miles
(46.4 km)
A house, a trailer, and all outbuildings were destroyed on a farm near Cambria where one person was injured. 6 barns were leveled elsewhere.
F1W of ColumbusColumbiaWisconsin00499 miles
(14.4 km)
F2Beaver Dam areaDodgeWisconsin011711 miles
(17.6 km)
$640,000 in damage to 30 buildings in the area. Three barns, one business, and two garages were destroyed. Five homes sustained extensive damage and one person was injured.
F2N of HowardMinerSouth Dakota21000.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Sources:Tornado History Project (June 7, 1984), Tornado History Project (June 8, 1984) - for Wisconsin data only, Grazulis (1984)

Barneveld–Black Earth, Wisconsin

Barneveld–Black Earth, Wisconsin
Formed:June 8, 1984, 12:41 am. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration:59 minutes
Dissipated:June 8, 1984, 1:40 am. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Basin:atl
Winds:>261 mph
Fujita-Scale:F5
Year:1984
Deaths:9
Injuries:200
Damages:≥$25 million (1984 USD)
≥$ (USD)

As the tornado activity calmed down across Iowa and Minnesota in which numerous strong to severe tornadoes struck those areas from mid-afternoon to mid-evening, the severe weather shifted east towards Wisconsin after dark where a tornado watch was issued at about 11:00pm CDT. By this time, most of the residents of Barneveld had gone to bed and were unaware of the tornado watch. A supercell thunderstorm, which affected portions of southeastern Iowa with a few tornadoes at around 9:00pm CDT before weakening and intensifying shortly after, entered Wisconsin from the Iowa/Illinois border at around 12:00am CDT near Dubuque. Shortly after 12:30am CDT, June 8, it produced its first tornado near Belmont in Lafayette County and lifted near Mineral Point in Iowa County about fifteen miles southwest of Barneveld.

A few minutes later, this storm system produced one of the few F5 tornadoes to hit Wisconsin, developing northeast of Mineral Point (five to six miles southwest of Barneveld). At 12:41 am CDT this F5 tornado drove through the center of Barneveld in full force, finally dissipating in northern Dane County around 1:40am CDT after traveling 36abbr=offNaNabbr=off for 59 minutes.[5] A strong lightning strike cut the electricity to the town just a few minutes before the tornado struck Barneveld, but it was followed by a deafening clap of thunder that awakened many residents. (It is said that the loss of power prevented the tornado siren from being activated prior to its arrival; in actuality, the town did not have a tornado siren that differed from the siren used to activate the town's volunteer fire and EMT squad. If the siren had been activated, the residents would not have known it was a tornado warning.) At its peak, the tornado was nearly a quarter-mile wide. Other tornadoes rated from F1 to F3 touched down from Columbia County to Dodge County until after 3:00am CDT when activity finally weakened.

The tornado was responsible for nine deaths and nearly 200 injuries in Barneveld while causing about $25 million in damage. In total, all three churches (the Congregational United Church of Christ, the Lutheran Church, and the Roman Catholic Church), 93 homes and 17 out of the 18 businesses in town (including the library, municipal building, fire station, bank, and post office) were all destroyed. The village's water tower, though damaged, was not toppled by the winds. In addition, 64 other homes were badly damaged. The F5 damage occurred at a cul-de-sac on the northeast side of town. A cluster of newly built homes were completely swept away at this location. Trees were debarked and vehicles were thrown and mangled.[6] Some of the debris including paperwork was later found about 135 miles away from the village. Eight homes were also destroyed in Black Earth, and 24 additional homes were destroyed between Barneveld and Black Earth. Other tornadoes in Wisconsin caused two additional injuries and about $15 million worth of damage but no additional fatalities.[7] [8]

The National Weather Service in Madison reported the next day that the frequency of lightning flashes in the storm exceeded 200 per minute. The flashes produced a strobe-like effect, as mentioned in media reports and books about the disaster.[9]

Historical perspective

Outbreak death toll
StateTotalCountyCounty
total
Iowa3Keokuk1
Mahaska1
Ringgold1
Missouri1Harrison1
Wisconsin9Iowa9
Totals13
All deaths were tornado-related
The Barneveld tornado became the newest member of an exclusive, unfortunate group of deadly EF5/F5 tornadoes that have touched down at night. Group members prior to Barneveld included the Blackwell, Oklahoma and Udall, Kansas tornadoes during the 1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak; the tornado that struck downtown Lubbock, TX in 1970; and the Tanner and Guin, Alabama tornadoes from the 1974 Super Outbreak. Later, the Birmingham tornado in April 1998 and the Greensburg tornado in May 2007 also joined that group of violent nighttime tornadoes. As it was in Barneveld, people in these other communities may not have been aware of incoming severe weather nor would they be able to see the tornado until it was already upon them, which increased their odds of injury or death.

The Barneveld tornado was the only F5-rated storm in the United States in 1984 and the first to strike Wisconsin since the Colfax tornado killed 21 people in 1958. While it had been 26 years since the last F5 tornado struck Wisconsin, it had only been two years since the last F5 tornado in the United States; thankfully, while the Broken Bow, Oklahoma tornado of April 1982 injured 29 people, it didn't take any lives.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NCDC Storm Events-Select State . 2008-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110505093502/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms . 2011-05-05 . dead .
  2. Book: Grazulis . Thomas P. . Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events . 1993 . Environmental Films . St. Johnsbury, Vermont . 1-879362-03-1 . 1257–1260.
  3. "On the original Fujita scale [F0-F5], the damage generated by an F5 tornado corresponded to estimated wind speeds of 262 to 317 mph. However, research has shown that these estimated wind speeds may be over-exaggerated. As of 2007, any tornado that creates damage corresponding to estimated wind speeds of 200 mph or greater [on the Enhanced Fujita Scale] is classified as an EF5 tornado." https://weather.com/tv/shows/tornado-week/news/ef5-f5-most-violent-tornadoes-20140430
  4. Web site: FCS_Harrington.pdf . 18 March 2024.
  5. Web site: June 8, 1984, Barneveld, WI F5 Tornado. National Weather Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 30 July 2015.
  6. Web site: The List of the Strongest Tornadoes Ever Recorded: Part IV | . 2013-02-07 . 2019-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407065947/http://extremeplanet.me/2012/11/27/the-indefinitive-list-of-the-strongest-tornadoes-ever-recorded-part-iv/ . dead .
  7. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/document/tor/060884.php NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI
  8. Web site: Barneveld, 1984: 9 Dead, 200 Injured - News Story - WISC Madison . 2008-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014820/http://www.channel3000.com/news/3395188/detail.html . 2007-09-27 . dead .
  9. Extreme Weather, pp 188