Severe Thunderstorm Downs Trees, Knocks out Power in Southeast Minnesota

Update: Severe Storm Leaves Destructive Wake Across Southeast Minnesota 

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A severe thunderstorm packed heavy rain and damaging winds as it swept across southeast Minnesota Monday morning. 

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The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm warning for Dodge, Olmsted, Goodhue, Winona and Wabasha Counties. 

The warning was allowed to expire at 7:15 a.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in place until 10:00 Monday morning. 

Severe Thunderstorm Takes Down Large Trees in Rochester

Trained storm spotters reported a peak 62 mph wind gust in Rochester around 6:30 a.m, the National Weather Service says. Officials also reported tree damage throughout Rochester. 

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Photos submitted to KROC News show knocked down mature trees in western Rochester’s Country Club Manor neighborhood. Marble sized hail was also reported in Rochester. 

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Parkin said deputies were out Monday morning clearing trees from roadways. He said no major storm damage has been reported so far. 

3,200 Customers Lose Power Following Severe Thunderstorm in Rochester

Hundreds of customers in Rochester are without power after following the line of severe thunderstorms. Dozens of Xcel Energy Customers along the Mississippi River in Wabasha County also lost power. 

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) says all available crews are out to begin power restoration efforts. A check of the utility provider’s outage map shows thousands homes are in the dark as of 8 a.m.  

RPU customers who are without power are asked to report the outage via the RPU Connect App.

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