Isanti County, Minnesota
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 27059 · population 41,125 · 436 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 362 records for Isanti County, Minnesota from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 250 days; the most frequent are hail reports (101 records). The most damaging was the July 21, 1995 tornado ($2.9 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 10 declarations naming the county since 1965, 8 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes” on July 28, 2011.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 362on 250 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 04 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.4Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 14strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 10latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Isanti County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 101 since 1975. 50% of its hail reports since 1975 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Minnesota's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 101 | 52 | 1975-2026 | 0 | 0 | $142K | 49 of 87 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 93 | 69 | 1975-2026 | 0 | 0 | $859K | 17 of 87 |
| Winter storms | 90 | 88 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 39 of 87 |
| Extreme cold | 23 | 22 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 87 |
| Tornadoes | 14 | 11 | 1981-2024 | 0 | 4 | $4.2M | 55 of 87 |
| Heat | 12 | 12 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 87 |
| Heavy rain | 10 | 5 | 2009-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 87 |
| Floods | 7 | 6 | 1997-2022 | 0 | 0 | $189K | 73 of 87 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 6 | 5 | 2001-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 87 |
| High wind and dust storms | 5 | 5 | 1996-2015 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 67 of 87 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 87 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Isanti County had?
NOAA records 14 tornadoes in Isanti County from 1981 to 2024, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 4 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 14 tornadoes whose track touched Isanti County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 14, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Minnesota.
Every tornado record filed for Isanti County (14)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-29 | Isanti County | EF1 4.62 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-07-17 | Day, Isanti County | EF1 2.96 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-07-30 | Carmody, Isanti County | EF0 4.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $197K |
| 2002-06-25 | Isanti County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2001-06-18 | Day, Isanti County | F1 8 mi x 0 yd | 0 | 0 | $333K |
| 1997-07-01 | Bradford, Isanti County | F1 5 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-10-26 | Cambridge, Isanti County | F1 12 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1995-07-21 | Cambridge, Isanti County | F1 8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 1995-07-21 | Blomford, Isanti County | F1 13 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-07-21 | Pine Brook, Isanti County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-07-21 | Spring Lake, Isanti County | F1 6 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-04-29 | Isanti County | F0 1.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-06-12 | Isanti County | F0 2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1981-06-13 | Isanti County | F2 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Isanti County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 18, 2020 thunderstorm wind ($285,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A NWS Storm Survey indicated that numerous trees were blown down across north central and northeast Isanti County. The damage was in a swath about two miles wide. The hardest hit areas were west of Stanchfield, through the town, and to the east of Stanchfield. Several large sheds were also damaged in this area.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 903912)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | HailDay, Isanti County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-19 | HailDay, Isanti County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-15 | Thunderstorm WindStanchfield, Isanti County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-15 | Thunderstorm WindDalbo, Isanti County | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-01 | Winter WeatherIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | Winter WeatherIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-24 | Winter WeatherIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-22 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-05 | Winter WeatherIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Winter StormIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-25 | Winter WeatherIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-09 | Winter StormIsanti County · forecast zone Isanti | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-07-21 | TornadoCambridge, Isanti County Tornado touched down one mile west of Cambridge and moved east through western and southern Cambridge. Lifted off ground 16 minutes later, about seven miles east of Cambridge. Twenty homes, two apartment buildings, a senior citizen center, a hospital and a water treatment plant were damaged or destroyed. Heaviest ... | F1 8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 1996-10-26 | TornadoCambridge, Isanti County Numerous barns and garages destroyed. Businesses damaged in the town of Stanchfield. Camper destroyed, but occupant thrown clear with minor injuries. | F1 12 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-07-21 | TornadoCambridge, Isanti County | F1 8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 2001-06-18 | TornadoDay, Isanti County | F1 8 mi x 0 yd | 0 | 0 | $333K |
| 2020-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindSpringvale, Isanti County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $285K |
| 2011-07-30 | Thunderstorm WindCarmody, Isanti County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $197K |
| 2011-07-30 | TornadoCarmody, Isanti County | EF0 4.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $197K |
| 2012-05-01 | Thunderstorm WindSpencer Brook, Isanti County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $32K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 13, 1981 (tornado, Isanti County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Isanti County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 57 | 13 | 19 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 31 | 24 | 15 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 24 | 27 | 29 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
50% of its hail reports since 1975 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 23 · Feb 23 · Mar 24 · Apr 29 · May 35 · Jun 60 · Jul 65 · Aug 51 · Sep 10 · Oct 9 · Nov 10 · Dec 23 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Isanti County
FEMA's register lists 10 declarations that include Isanti County: 7 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (4) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-07 | DR-4531 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3453 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-07-28 | DR-4009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3242 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-05-16 | DR-1370 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1997-08-25 | DR-1187 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, High Winds, Flooding |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3013 | Drought | Drought |
| 1972-08-01 | DR-347 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1969-04-18 | DR-255 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1965-04-11 | DR-188 | Flood | Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Isanti County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 7 flood or flash flood records for Isanti County from 1997 to 2022, on 6 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Isanti County ranks 1976th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $226,000 on 26 claims filed in Isanti County; the most in one year was 7 in 2001. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1990: 2 · 1997: 2 · 2000: 1 · 2001: 7 · 2002: 3 · 2004: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 4 · 2014: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 2; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Isanti County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Isanti County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.3 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $206K | once in about 1,241 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $662K | 5.4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $2.2M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $951K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $9.5M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $303K | 33 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.0M | 10 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $56K | 2.3 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Isanti County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in MinnesotaEvery Minnesota tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in MinnesotaThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Minnesota recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Isanti CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Isanti County's FEMA declarations (CSV)10 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis