Cleanup Continues After Damaging Storms Hit Metro

Storms packing heavy rain and high winds swept through Minnesota Tuesday, ripping off roofs, toppling trees and knocking out power in parts of the Twin Cities metro area.

In Hastings, strong winds knocked down trees and branches throughout the city.

City officials say crews were out in force to clean up the mess, with the priority on getting the roads open to traffic. For now, debris is being pushed to the side of the road or in the boulevard areas, officials say. City crews will haul away the debris, but it may take several days before they come by and remove it.

Trees were also blown down on top of homes, fences and cars in South St. Paul. One tree split in two and fell on two different homes. Power lines were hit pretty hard as well, leaving residents without power Tuesday morning.

In Apple Valley, the storm snapped off a row of power poles along Pilot Knob Road between County Road 46 and County Road 42.

Apple Valley Fire Chief Nealon Thompson says power lines fell on a vehicle passing through the area. The driver was able to safely get out of the vehicle and away from danger. A total of 14 poles were knocked down in the area, Thompson says. The road was closed until power crews clean up the mess and replace the poles.

In Rosemount, residents are also repairing roofs and cleaning up downed trees.

About 10,000 customers were without power in Dakota County.

Hundreds of trees were reported down in Farmington and Lakeville. Some crashed through homes. Others fell on top of vehicles and across roads. What is believed to be straight line winds also knock down several power lines. Some of the worst hit areas were near Dodd Blvd and Flagstaff near the Lakeville-Farmington border. No injuries were reported.

Mendota Heights has setup a phone line for residents who suffered damage in the storm. That number is 651-255-1361.

In St. Cloud, lighting may have been the cause of a fire at an apartment building. The Red Cross is assisting 12 people affected by the fire.

KSTP.com Meteorologist Patrick Hammer says wind gusts of 83 miles per hour were reported in Belle Plaine and 80 mile per hour winds were reported in New Prague. Other areas saw gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour.

Some farmers’ corn fields are a total loss after hail came down yesterday.

The worst hit area is near Lafayette in Nicollet County. The University of Minnesota Extension Office reports severe hail damage, and some farmers say it’s too late to replant the corn they lost.

It will take some time for a complete damage estimate. The university told us that while some farmers have insurance, they will not get as much money back as if the crop went to harvest.

A flash flood watch is out for a large part of Minnesota from the south to the west and northeast.