NWS Grand Forks NDTO.W 0019July 16, 2026
Tornado Warning: Benson, ND
The National Weather Service office in Grand Forks issued a tornado warning for Benson in North Dakota, which was in force until 9:45 p.m. local time on July 16. It was the 19th tornado warning the NWS office in Grand Forks issued in 2026. North Dakota had 10 tornado warnings in July 2026, against 19 in an average July of 2008-2025 (North Dakota's tornado warnings by year).
ExpiredWarning
In force for 33 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Grand Forks ND
- Area
- Benson
- State
- North Dakota
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 9:12 p.m. CDT, July 16, 2026
- Expires
- 9:45 p.m. CDT, July 16, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KFGF TO.W 0019
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
TORFGF The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Southwestern Benson County in northeastern North Dakota... * Until 945 PM CDT. * At 912 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Maddock, or 19 miles northeast of Harvey, moving southeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail. SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * Locations impacted include... Maddock and Flora.
What the agency told people to do
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.