Fact Check: Tornadoes in North Dakota Leave Three Dead and Hundreds Without Power
What We Know
On June 21, 2025, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck North Dakota and parts of Minnesota, resulting in at least three fatalities. According to reports from the New York Times, two victims were found in a damaged home near Enderlin, North Dakota, while a third victim was discovered by local emergency responders. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victims included two men and one woman. The sheriff indicated that the nighttime nature of the tornado may have contributed to the fatalities, as visibility was severely limited during the storm.
The storm caused extensive damage, with approximately 10 homes destroyed in the Enderlin area, and reports of a train derailment involving empty tanker cars. The National Weather Service confirmed that at least two tornadoes touched down in the region, with wind speeds reaching up to 112 miles per hour. In addition to the fatalities, the storms left around 21,000 residents in North Dakota and another 21,000 in Minnesota without power, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Analysis
The claim that tornadoes in North Dakota resulted in three deaths and left hundreds without power is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The Associated Press reported similar details, confirming the fatalities and the extensive damage caused by the tornadoes. The report highlighted that the storms affected not only North Dakota but also northern Minnesota, where significant wind gusts were recorded, and infrastructure damage was reported.
The NPR coverage provided additional context, noting that as of late Saturday afternoon, over 19,000 people in North Dakota and about 28,000 in Minnesota were still without power. This aligns with the information from other sources, reinforcing the extent of the power outages resulting from the storm.
Moreover, CBS News and Newsweek echoed these reports, emphasizing the severe weather conditions and the impact on local communities. The consistency across these reputable news outlets strengthens the reliability of the information regarding the fatalities and the power outages.
While the reports are consistent, it is important to note that the situation is still developing, and the numbers may change as recovery efforts continue and more information becomes available.
Conclusion
The claim that tornadoes in North Dakota left three dead and hundreds without power is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the fatalities, the destruction caused by the tornadoes, and the significant power outages affecting thousands of residents in both North Dakota and Minnesota.
Sources
- At Least 3 Dead in Tornadoes in North Dakota, Officials Say
- A tornado that swept through a rural town in North Dakota left at least ...
- At least three people dead from a tornado in North Dakota
- At least 3 dead after tornado rips through North Dakota, northern ...
- Three Killed in North Dakota Tornado Outbreak - Newsweek
