Buffalo Lake in Renville County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Buffalo Lake Tornado

Memorial

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

1. Buffalo Lake Tornado Marker

Inscription. On Tuesday, June 24, 2003 severe thunderstorms spawned three tornadoes that touched down here at 7:46 p.m. The F2 tornadoes, with winds as high as 157 miles an hour, struck several farms immediately south of town, then bore down upon the community, leaving in its wake a path of destruction in the southwest, central Main Street, and west end of town, destroying 15 homes and businesses and damaging 159 others, including Buffalo Lake's two churches. Fortunately, no lives were lost, thanks to early civil defense warning sirens. Total damage costs exceeded $6 million in Buffalo Lake, with a similar damage amount estimated on area farms. Lives were shattered and dreams broken, but the community dedicated itself to rebuild, renew and prosper once again.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1838.

Location. 44° 44.299′ N, 94° 37.076′ W. Marker is in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, in Renville County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street Northwest (County Highway 8) and West Church Avenue, on the right when traveling north on 2nd Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buffalo Lake MN 55314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (approx.

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0.3 miles away); Dalton Johnson Wildlife Area (approx. 16.8 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Tornado thrashes Buffalo Lake. Minnesota Public Radio. (Submitted on November 9, 2013.)

2. Tornado pummels small Minnesota town. Cable News Network. (Submitted on November 9, 2013.)

3. Buffalo Lake remembers. Hutchinson Leader 2013 article. (Submitted on November 9, 2013.)

4. Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. History. "Buffalo Lake was a favorite stopping place and watering hole for horse-drawn wagons and U.S. Troops making the trip from Fort Ridgely to Hutchinson. Large herds of buffalo roamed the prairie at the time, hence the city's name..." (Submitted on November 9, 2013.)

5. Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on November 9, 2013.)

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

2. Buffalo Lake Tornado Marker

Buffalo Lake Tornado Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

3. Buffalo Lake Tornado Memorial

Bricks used were from a demolished grocery store.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

4. Buffalo Lake Tornado Memorial

Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.