Summer storms hit southern and central Minnesota on Wednesday, bringing reports of at least five tornadoes, torrential rain and flooding.
By 10 p.m., severe weather had passed, but a flash-flood warning remained in effect for Carver, Scott and Hennepin counties until 11:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it had received almost 2 inches of rain in 30 minutes at its Chanhassen office. More than 3 inches were reported from Gaylord, south to New Ulm and Nicollet. One weather watcher in Sibley County reported more than 4 inches.
No injuries were reported Wednesday night from the tornadoes. A farmer near Nicollet reported damage to a garage.
In McLeod County, officials reported trees down in Biscay and in Lester Prairie shortly after 8 p.m.
The first report of a tornado came in a NWS tweet at 4:52 p.m.: "Tornado on ground just east of Nicollet near Hwy. 99. Take cover now!"
A storm spotter reported another at 5:13 p.m. about three miles farther east near Hwy. 14. At 5:42 p.m., a touchdown was reported near Hwy. 22 at the Nicollet/Sibley county line. At 6:17 p.m., a rain-wrapped tornado was spotted crossing Hwy. 19 a mile west of Gaylord.
At 7:47 p.m., the NWS tweeted "radar confirmed a tornado near Prior Lake. Radar is indicating flying debris."
