Severe Storms Bring Five Tornadoes To Southeast Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The severe storm that swept across southeast Minnesota on Friday produced five tornadoes that touched down.

That’s according to a preliminary storm summary released by the National Weather Service.

Storm survey crews were inspecting the area on Saturday.

The twisters left a wake of damage behind. The National Weather Service says the storm damaged more than 100 homes in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

At least 50 of those damaged homes are in Olmsted County, according to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

Friday Afternoon Storm Produces 5 Tornadoes in Southeast Minnesota

The first touchdown happened at 1:45 p.m. near the Mower-Dodge County line. An EF-0 rated tornado, with a peak wind speed of 80 mph, was on the ground for five minutes and was 75 yards wide.

It cut a three-mile path as it moved northeast into Dodge County before dissipating. The twister caused minor damage to a grain silo, the weather service says.

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The second tornado touched down three minutes after the first tornado ceased. It began its four-mile path in eastern Dodge County before moving into southwestern Olmsted County.

The EF-0, which had a peak wind speed of 80 mph, was on the ground until 2:02 p.m. and lightly damaged farm outbuildings and trees, according to the summary.

Strongest Tornado Started in Stewartville, Crossed I-90, Hwy. 52 & Marion Rd. SE

The strongest of the five tornadoes that hit southeast Minnesota touched down in northeastern Stewartville at 2:17 p.m.

It took a 10 mile path towards the northeast crossing over Interstate 90 and Hwy. 52 before dissipating at 2:31 p.m. northeast of Marion Rd. Officials estimate the EF-2 tornado was as wide as 175 yards and had a peak wind speed of 130 mph.

The tornado was responsible for damaging multiple homes and barns and caused roof removal and exterior wall collapses for homes along Marion Rd. SE near Rochester.

One injury was associated with the tornado.

The State Patrol says 55-year-old Abdirashid Ahmed Keynan of Bloomington suffered non-life-threatening injuries after the tornado caused his semi to flip about a mile and a half east of the Rochester airport on I-90.

Tornado Touches Down Near Century High School in Rochester

The fourth tornado was confirmed to have touched down just south of Century High School in northeast Rochester at 2:30 p.m.

It began as an EF-0 but gained strength as it began its 12-mile northeasterly journey, the summary says.

During its final six miles, the tornado intensified to an EF-1 and produced a peak wind speed of 100 mph.

It got as wide as 80 yards and inflicted damage to trees and farm property before lifting at 2:54 p.m., according to the storm report.

EF-2 Tornado Reported in Olmsted & Wabasha Counties

Eight minutes before the northeast Rochester twister ended, Olmsted County’s second EF-2 tornado touched down.

It started its 7.5 mile path just east of Hwy. 42 and continued northeast into Wabasha County, where it missed the communities of Plainview and Elgin to the southeast.

The EF-2 got as wide as 150 yards and produced peak winds of 125 mph, according to the weather service.

A farm house in its path lost its roof and the tornado also partially removed portions of the home’s garage roof. Trees and outbuildings were also damaged.

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners issued a disaster declaration following the storm and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to accept preliminary damage reports.

April 17 Tornado Outbreak Makes History

The system produced three more tornadoes once it entered western Wisconsin. One was an EF-3 and the two others were EF-1s.

No injuries or fatalities occurred, however significant property damage was reported, according to the summary.

The National Weather Service La Crosse said the 26 Tornado Warnings it issued on Friday were the most issued on a single day since the office was established in 1995.