The 10 Most Devastating Tornadoes in Minnesota History

Minnesota may not be in the heart of Tornado Alley but that doesn't mean it hasn't seen its share of powerful storms.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a staggering 2,052 tornadoes have been reported in the state since 1950 and some of them have been so devastating that they've leveled entire communities.

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Widely regarded as the most powerful tornado to hit Minnesota in modern history, a devastating F-5 pummeled the Chandler and Lake Wilson areas in June of 1992.

June 16, 1992 marks the day a devastating tornado ravaged portions of southwest Minnesota. Commonly referred as the Chandler-Lake Wilson tornado, this tornado destroyed more than 75 homes with another 90 homes, 10 businesses, a church and school damaged. The tornado caused over $50 million in property damage, resulting in more than 40 injuries and one fatality. Based on a detailed damage assessment by the National Weather Service, it is estimated this F5 tornado packed winds in excess of 260 mph as it tore through the residential area of Chandler Minnesota. This was the only F5 tornado to occur in the United States in 1992.
-Weather.GOV Website

As for the most powerful tornadoes in Minnesota's history, here's a look at the top 10, according to the Minnesota DNR:

Memorable Minnesota Tornadoes

Location	Date	Time	Deaths	Injuries
Ft. Snelling First tornado reported in Minnesota.	4/19/1820	11:00 PM (est.)	0	0
Rochester opens in a new browser tab Large factor in the subsequent development of the Mayo Clinic.	8/21/1883	6:36 PM	37	200
St. Cloud/Sauk Rapids opens in a new browser tab Deadliest tornado in Minnesota history. 11 members of a wedding party were killed including the groom. The bride eventually remarried.	4/14/1886	4:00 PM	72	213
Lake Gervias (Ramsey County) opens in a new browser tab Widely visible throughout St. Paul.	7/13/1890	5:30 PM	6	30
Minneapolis/St. Paul opens in a new browser tab Could have been straight-line winds or microburst.	8/21/1904	7:30 PM	14	unknown
Tyler opens in a new browser tab	8/21/1918	9:20 PM	36	225
Fergus Falls opens in a new browser tab Second deadliest killer tornado in Minnesota history.	6/22/1919	4:45 PM	57	200
Austin opens in a new browser tab Tornado hit northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Five deaths were in Austin	8/20/1928	4:10 PM	6	60
Anoka/Champlin opens in a new browser tab	6/18/1939	2:00 PM	9	222
Mankato/North Mankato opens in a new browser tab About an hour apart, tornadoes slashed through the cities of Mankato and North Mankato.	8/17/1946	5:40 PM	11	100

To see the full list of the most powerful storms and tornadoes to ever hit Minnesota, check out the article from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Story Sources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Website, Weather.gov Website

Inside Minnesota's Largest Candy Store

I had been to Minnesota's Largest Candy Store once before, but they did some pretty cool things since the last time I was there. They added a bunch of superheroes, Star Wars stuff, and a candy band.

According to their Facebook page, Jim's Apple Farm is actually how the now huge candy store got its start. It is located in Jordan, MN and you can't miss it. It is a huge yellow building.

Even though candy is mentioned in the name, they have a little bit of everything. They have fresh baked pies and cookies and fudge. We walked in and it smelled amazing!

They also have the largest selection of sodas! Then there is chocolate and taffy and gummies and chips and puzzles and games. So much stuff!

They even have a Zoltar machine like in the movie, Big. I had to check that out. He told me the only helping hand is at the end of my arm. Gee, thanks Zoltar.

There were even crickets and worms! Not gummy worms, but actual worms.

They also have candy from all over the world!

The store is seasonal, however. November is their last month of operation for the season.