Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Storm reports continue to come in to the National Weather Service, but so far, no tornadoes have been reported in the Rochester area from the severe storms that swept through the region today.

The National Weather Service did report tornadic activity in the Albert Lea area. A trained spotter confirmed a tornado on the ground 3 miles west of the town of Hayward at 1:30 p.m., just east of Albert Lea. In an area just south of Albert Lea, there were reports of downed trees and power lines that may have been the result of a tornado.

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Most of the storm reports in the Rochester area involve damaging wind gusts. A 55 mile-per-hour gust was reported to the National Weather Service in Elgin, with a 49 mile-per-hour gust in Wykoff, and a 47 mile-per-hour gust reported just northwest of Stewartville.

As of 4 p.m., the strongest storm gust reported to the National Weather Service was near Winona at 57 mph.

The severe storms also produced impressive rainfall totals. A preliminary report from the Rochester Airport indicates just over 1.4 inches of rain had fallen as of 4 p.m., while more than 2 inches of rain was reported in parts of southeast Rochester. In downtown Rochester, at St. Marys Hospital, about 1.45 inches of rain was reported by 4 p.m.

READ MORE: Section of North Broadway in Rochester Closed Due to to Flooding

The threat of severe weather will persist into the evening. A tornado watch remains in effect for the Rochester area and portions of southeastern Minnesota until 8 p.m.

The heavy rains have also raised the risk of flooding. A flood watch has been posted by the National Weather Service until 4 a.m. on Friday.