Is there a tornado warning in Dakota County, Minnesota?

Yes. The National Weather Service has a Tornado Warning in effect for southeastern Dakota County until 5:30 PM CDT. It also covers northwestern Goodhue County, Minnesota, and southwestern Pierce County, Wisconsin.

Where is the tornado-capable storm and where is it heading?

At 4:59 PM CDT, the storm was near Cannon Falls, about 13 miles northeast of Northfield, moving east at 40 mph. It is expected near Welch around 520 PM CDT and Red Wing around 525 PM CDT.

What should I do during this tornado warning?

Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building, away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter.

Tornado Warning for Dakota and Goodhue counties, MN: Oct 28, 2026

Key facts

Alert: Tornado Warning (extreme)
Issued by: National Weather Service, Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Areas: Dakota, MN; Goodhue, MN; Pierce, WI
In effect: until 5:30 PM CDT, Oct 28, 2026
Detection: Radar indicated

The red outline is the area the National Weather Service put under the tornado warning. Source: NWS alert polygon. Not to scale with roads.

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What the National Weather Service says

“Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building away from windows.”
NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN, Tornado Warning, 5:14 PM CDT Oct 28, 2026 · official alert

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter.”
NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN, Tornado Warning, 5:14 PM CDT Oct 28, 2026 · official alert

“Cannon Falls around 500 PM CDT.”
NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN, Tornado Warning, 5:14 PM CDT Oct 28, 2026 · official alert

What to do

Move now to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building, away from windows. A basement is best if you have one.

If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, get to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. The National Weather Service says mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed in this kind of storm.

Stay sheltered until the warning ends or the National Weather Service says the danger has passed. Keep a way to receive weather alerts.

Context

The National Weather Service lists Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing along the storm's path, with Cannon Falls first at around 500 PM CDT. Other places named as affected include Lake Byllesby, Hampton, New Trier, Miesville and Diamond Bluff.

FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses. Since 1978, claims were filed in Dakota County (182), Goodhue County (209) and Pierce County (126). FEMA has declared several disasters for severe storms and flooding in Goodhue County, most recently in June 2024.

Updates

5:30 PM CDT The tornado warning expired at 5:30 PM CDT.
5:14 PM CDT The National Weather Service updated the tornado warning; it remains in effect until 5:30 PM CDT.
5:05 PM CDT The National Weather Service updated the tornado warning; it remains in effect until 5:30 PM CDT.
4:59 PM CDT NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN issued the tornado warning until 5:30 PM CDT.

History here

Dakota County: 182 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.

Dakota County: recent federal disaster declarations

DR-4069 (2012): severe storms and flooding

Goodhue County: 209 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.

Goodhue County: recent federal disaster declarations

DR-4797 (2024): severe storms and flooding
DR-4442 (2019): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, and flooding
DR-4290 (2016): severe storms and flooding
DR-4069 (2012): severe storms and flooding
DR-1941 (2010): severe storms and flooding

Pierce County: 126 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.

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Questions

Is there a tornado warning in Dakota County, Minnesota?: Yes. The National Weather Service has a Tornado Warning in effect for southeastern Dakota County until 5:30 PM CDT. It also covers northwestern Goodhue County, Minnesota, and southwestern Pierce County, Wisconsin.
Where is the tornado-capable storm and where is it heading?: At 4:59 PM CDT, the storm was near Cannon Falls, about 13 miles northeast of Northfield, moving east at 40 mph. It is expected near Welch around 520 PM CDT and Red Wing around 525 PM CDT.
What should I do during this tornado warning?: Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building, away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter.

Sources

NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN: Tornado Warning, Oct 28, 2026 weather.gov
FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov

How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.