Metro Area Left Cleaning Up After Spring Storm Moves Through
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Tim Murphy has seen his share of Minnesota spring storms over the years.
But he says the one that rolled through his St. Paul neighborhood Saturday afternoon was a little different.
"This was a shorter storm, and it was more violent in a chunkated amount of time," Murphy said.
A power line completely collapsed, leaving the area without power and LaVonne Willier with a mess.
"When I came outside this is what I found," Willier said. "I don't want to go anywhere near the wire because it could be live."
The lines fell into her backyard, making it near impossible for her to walk through.
It was just one case of damage and debris from a storm that ravaged most all of the metro.
Trees were down near Southdale Mall in Edina, Minn., in Shakopee trees that fell blocked the streets.
And that's not all.
Several homeowners were dealing with trees that fell on their homes.
"This is going to be weeks' worth of work here or more," said John Ahlstrend said.
Or cleaning debris that fell on their cars and in their yards.
"It looks like someone took a leaf shredder and just exhausted onto it. And our driveway and St. Clair is a carpet right now," Murphy said.
More than 22,000 customers were out of power at 4 p.m., according to Xcel Energy, and crews are working to power those affected back up.
"It's gonna be a while. And there's stuff going on all over the cities here. I'll be happy when they get it taken care of," Willier said.
Right now Xcel Energy says there's still about 25,000 customers without power.
All flights at Minneapolis-ST. Paul Airport were also grounded, but that only lasted a couple of minutes.
Still, the airport is reminding people to check with their airline if these continuing storms cause any more delays.