On June 11, 2022, a brief EF-1 tornado developed a few miles north of Blue Rapids and moved south along Highway 77. The most significant damage occurred near the midpoint of this track where train cars were tipped off the tracks. The tornado ended just north of Blue Rapids as a surge of 80-100 mph straightline winds pushed south. However these straightline winds produced a 5 mile wide swath of damage, most pronounced in Blue Rapids but stretching as far west as Waterville.
Alcove Spring Park took a direct hit from the straightline winds. Hundreds of towering oaks, sycamores and red cedars were uprooted or shattered. Every trail in the park was blocked by downed trees, as were the streams.
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