Severe Storms Hit Southeastern MN, Western Wisconsin
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Severe storms raced across the Twin Cities early Wednesday night, leaving behind damage in some areas and knocking out power.
Southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin were under a Tornado Watch until 11 p.m. A line of storms formed west of the Twin Cities late in the afternoon, and headed east to southeast.
Strong winds hit the eastern Twin Cities metro, causing damage in Woodbury with trees down.
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Hennepin, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington Counties until 6:30 p.m. It also issued a Tornado Warning For St. Croix and Pierce Counties in western Wisconsin that expired around 7 p.m.
Strong winds hit the eastern Twin Cities metro, causing damage in Woodbury with trees down. The Washington County Sheriff's Office says they got a call just before 6 p.m. of a tree down and a gas line hit on the 7400 block of Chesham Lane.
Woodbury police say when officers got to the scene, they located a tree that had been uprooted. Officers heard hissing and saw a gas line that had been broken by the tree.
Xcel Energy sent a crew to the scene, had the gas shut off and authorities did a partial evacuation of the neighborhood. Authorities evacuated 15 residents from the area, about a block away. Authorities say as of 8:30 p.m., gas was restored to all but two homes.
Power is also out in the Red Wing area.
It's been an unusually warm and humid October day, but once the storm front passes through, dew points will drop to the 30s. But there are chances for rain the next several days.