Lightning Strikes Spark Fires Across Metro Overnight Sunday

Minnesotans across the state woke up to some storm damage Monday morning.

The damage was due to strong storms that swept through Minnesota and Wisconsin Sunday night, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings and a few tornado warnings in the metro.

The Scott County Sheriff's Office reported that a roof was blown off a house, a shed was destroyed, and a 48-foot grain bin was blown into a field in Belle Plaine. Winds in Scott County got up to 58 miles per hour.

Authorities say lightning strikes sparked several fires throughout the state.

Two homes in Apple Valley were struck by lightning after 11 p.m. near the 6000 block of Lower 131 Street Court. Fire officials say at least one home’s gas meter was struck.

Fire officials are also blaming a St. Paul house fire on a possible lightning strike. It happened around 2 a.m. at 2159 Wilson Avenue, and no one was home at the time.

Lightning strikes are also blamed for a fire that destroyed a Stillwater pole barn, and for damage at Monticello Country Club.

There were numerous reports of trees down throughout the metro, with some of the hardest-hit areas including St. Paul, Stearns County, McLeod County, Mille Lacs County, Dakota County, and Washington County.

The storms cut power to more than 17,000 Xcel Energy customers in the Twin Cities area.

Many Minnesota counties were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. Sunday. A tornado warning was issued for Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, and Sibley Counties, but no touchdowns have been confirmed.

No storm related injuries were reported.

Track more weather conditions at kstp.com/weather.

To view a slideshow of storm photos, click here.

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