‘Nasty’ storm leaves 130,000 without power in Minnesota

Photo Courtesy: UPI

June 11 (UPI) — A strong storm caused minor property damage and left more than 130,000 customers in central Minnesota and western Wisconsin without power Sunday.

The Twin Cities metro area was struck around 8 a.m. with heavy rain, hail measuring 1.75 inches and wind gusts up to 70 mph. Tornado warnings were activated and the temperature plunged from 75 degrees at 8 a.m. to 60 2 hours later, the National Weather Service said.

The Twin Cities office of the NWS posted on Twitter about 8:35 a.m., “It’s NASTY here at the office in Chanhassen right now. TAKE COVER in the Twin Cities NOW!!!!”

No injuries were reported as of late Sunday morning.

Officials and residents were surveying damage. Fires likely caused by lightning, downed power lines and flooded streets were reported.

WCCO-TV viewers reported fallen trees and flooded streets.

A weather spotter said the cinder block structure of a Monticello High School baseball dugout was destroyed by the force of the storm.

Xcel Energy said the bulk of those without power were in the west metro area.

The weather service forecast continued possibility of thunderstorms Monday into Wednesday.

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