Summer storms hit southern and central Minnesota on Wednesday, bringing reports of at least five tornadoes, torrential rain and flooding.
Strong storms hit southern, central Minnesota, bringing tornadoes and heavy rain
At least five touchdowns were reported, as well as rainfalls of 3-plus inches in a couple hours, on a stormy night full of watches and warnings.
August 17, 2017 at 10:41AM
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."
A Weather Service survey team will be at work Thursday.
The forecast for the Twin Cities said rain is expected to continue well into Thursday. It should end by Thursday night and there is a 20 percent chance of more rain on Friday morning. Skies should be mostly clear by Friday night and Saturday, though, the NWS said.
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