Looking Back: Tracking the 2011 Tornado

It was around 2:13 in the afternoon on May 22, 2011, when an EF-0 tornado touched down in St. Louis Park, near the intersection of highways 394 and 100.

According to the National Weather Service, the twister would be on the ground for about 14.25 miles, moving north through Golden Valley, Minneapolis and Fridey. This took about 10 minutes.

Several businesses and condominium units sustained damage in St. Louis Park, but the city by-and-large avoided the worst of the storm.

As the tornado made its way, it intensified, going from an EF-0 to an EF-1 as it entered Minneapolis. Up to this point, most of the damage was due to downed trees falling and hitting homes or vehicles, but the stronger storm began demolishing garages and sheds, and partially removing roofs.

The most severe damage came in North Minneapolis—the Star Tribune reported that one person was killed and at least another 30 injured. Damage estimates are around $80 million.

The storm would next move into Fridley, where extensive tree damage occurred northeast of the middle school. The tornado weakened as it progressed north, and the last signs of damage came on the south side of the Blaine-Anoka County Airport, where a few hangars were dinged up.

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