Category: Aftermath of storm June 11, 2022

On June 11, 2022, a brief EF-1 tornado developed a few miles north
of Blue Rapids and moved south along Highway
177. 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 straight-line 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.