On June 17, 2010, an EF4 tornado carved a destructive path through the heart of Wadena, transforming familiar neighborhoods into scenes of devastation in less than a minute with peak winds estimated around 170 miles per hour. That day, Minnesota saw its largest tornado outbreak in history—48 twisters across the state. One of them struck Wadena directly, demolishing much of the city’s southwest side around 5pm that evening.. In just 45 seconds, the tornado destroyed the Wadena Community Center and ice arena, parts of the school, and countless homes and businesses.

The damage extended to the city cemetery, where over 2,600 trees were ripped from the ground. Many lots in southwest Wadena remained empty for years. But slowly, the city rebuilt. Volunteers replanted trees, cleared debris, and helped neighbors. Organizations like the Salvation Army provided food and water in the immediate aftermath.

Even now, the 15-year-old trees standing today are symbols—not just of what was lost, but of the community’s resilience and commitment to growth.