Thousands Lost Power When Severe Storms Hit Rochester Area
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Widespread power outages were reported in Rochester and other areas of southeastern Minnesota after a line of severe thunderstorms marched across the region in the late afternoon and early evening.
Rochester Public Utilities crews were busy restoring power to nearly 7,000 customers who lost power due to the storm. Preliminary information indicates most of the outages were in southeastern Rochester where there were numerous reports of downed trees and large tree branches from straight-line winds.
It appears the heaviest damage from the thunderstorm occurred in Winona County. Reports from the Rollingstone area indicate a barn was destroyed and there was damage to a convenience store, where a large camper trailer was flipped on its side. The National Weather Service is expected to dispatch a survey team to that area on Wednesday to determine if the damage was due to straight-line winds or a possible tornado.
There were several reports of very impressive straight-line winds produced by the fast-moving thunderstorm system. The National Weather Service received a report of a 72 mph gust in the Harmony area and there was a report of a 64 mile-per-hour straight-line wind gust near Taopi, which was devastated by a tornado a little over two years ago.
The National Weather Service also received a report of a 62 mile-per-hour wind gust near Stewartville and a 60 mph gust near Eyota. Large tree branches and power lines were reported down near Kasson in Dodge County, where a semi-truck was flipped on its side Highway 14 shortly after 5:30 p.m.
There were numerous reports of downed trees and power outages throughout the region, but no storm related injuries have been reported.
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