2030 Dodge Center tornado

2030 Dodge Center tornado

Clockwise from top: The tornado over Dodge Center illuminated by power flashes; the tornado's track through Dodge Center; low-end EF6 damage to a home; high-end EF6 damage to a field; radar reflectivity of the tornado entering Dodge Center
Meteorological history
Formed	March 4, 2030, 12:27 a.m. CST (UTC-6:00)
Dissipated	March 4, 2030, 1:41 a.m. CST (UTC-6:00)
Duration	1 hour, 14 minutes
EF6 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Max width	2,640 yards (1.5 mi; 2.41 km)
Path length	73.7 miles (118.6 km)
Highest winds	270 mph (430 km/h)
Satellite tornadoes
Tornadoes	1
Maximum rating	EF1 tornado
Overall effects
Fatalities	253 (+4 indirect) (Deadliest tornado on record for Minnesota)
Injuries	≥1,525
Damage	$1.1 billion (2030 USD) (Costliest tornado on record for Minnesota)
Areas affected	Freeborn, Steele, Dodge, and Olmsted Counties in Minnesota (mainly the city of Dodge Center)
Part of the Tornado outbreak of March 3–4, 2030 and Tornadoes of 2030

The 2030 Dodge Center tornado was a catastrophic, long-track EF6 tornado that devastated southeastern Minnesota during the early morning hours of March 4, 2030. With peak winds estimated at 270 mph (435 km/h), the tornado carved a 73.7-mile path through multiple communities, including Freeborn, Ellendale, Bixby, Dodge Center, Mantorville, Genoa, Oronoco, and South Troy. It resulted in 253 fatalities and over 1,525 injuries, making it the deadliest tornado in Minnesota history and one of the most violent tornadoes ever surveyed in the United States.

The tornado was part of a widespread and deadly outbreak that began on March 3, 2030. The first tornadic activity occurred in Mississippi, where an EF5 tornado struck Starkville during the afternoon hours. Later that evening, storms initiated across Iowa between 9 and 10 p.m. CST, evolving into a powerful nocturnal supercell complex that progressed into southern Minnesota. At 12:27 a.m. CST on March 4, the Dodge Center tornado touched down, rapidly intensifying and remaining on the ground for over an hour.

Despite existing warnings, siren failures in Dodge Center, Mantorville, and Oronoco contributed to the high casualty count. The tornado reached EF6 intensity in Dodge Center, where entire neighborhoods were obliterated, foundations were dislodged, and underground infrastructure was granulated. Damage indicators of 260–270 mph were recorded, marking the first official EF6 rating since the Enhanced Fujita scale was updated in late 2029.

Meteorological synopsis

File:March32030SPCOutlook.png

0200 UTC Day 1 outlook on March 4.

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Development and track

Map of the tornado's damage path across southeastern Minnesota.

Impact

low-end EF6 damage to a well-built home in Dodge Center.

Aftermath

EF4-EF5 damage in downtown Dodge Center.

Part of

Main article: Tornado outbreak of March 3–4, 2030

See also

• Tornadoes of 2030
• Tornado outbreak of March 3–4, 2030