Minnesota Weather: Cleanup Begins After Thursday Afternoon Tornado

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- Strong winds, heavy rain, hail and at least one tornado damaged a turkey barn and outbuildings, brought down tree branches and flooded streets in southwestern Minnesota. There were no reports of injuries when the severe weather swept through Redwood, Brown and Watonwan counties Thursday evening. Watonwan County sheriff's officials say a large turkey barn near St. James sustained substantial damage. A deluge of rain flooded streets in Redwood Falls and Morgan. Baseball-sized hail fell in parts of the region.On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service survey crew confirmed the damage in St. James and determined that the damage around the airport there was the result of straight line winds.

Viewer Paul Daub also sent us this intense video of the tornado in Wabasso this evening! Read More: https://cbsloc.al/2XkIqws

Posted by WCCO-TV | CBS Minnesota on Thursday, June 20, 2019

In Wabasso, it was a surreal sight. The storm itself moved through quickly, with families saying it was all of a five-minute ordeal.

WCCO viewer Paul Daub sent in a video of the tornado there, which was part of the storm that spanned more than 100 miles, from Cottonwood to South Branch.

Along with the tornado, it also brought hail, wind, and lots of rain, leading to flash floods like this one Ben sent us from Redwood Falls.

Redwood Falls Flooding

WCCO viewer Ben Stoterau shared this flooding video taken near his home in Redwood Falls.

Posted by WCCO-TV | CBS Minnesota on Thursday, June 20, 2019

The Altmann family was outside as the storm was approaching. They heard it coming, and then the family mother looked up and knew it was time to bunker down.

"It was swirling, swirling right over our house," Jodee Altmann said. "All of a sudden, the winds picked up and I freaked out and hit the basement."

The whole family made it inside on time. After a few minutes, it was all quiet and they went back outside to look at the damage. Several trees were knocked down, damaging part of the house, but there were no injuries.

Not too long after the storm hit, Jodee Altmann said her neighbors showed up and started clearing the trees and other damage away, all part of living in Minnesota.

The National Weather Service predicts more storms, some possibly severe, may arrive Friday afternoon in southern Minnesota.

Rain and thunder chances are expected late Saturday evening, overnight and into Sunday, Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak said. Rounds of heavy rain are expected to accompany thunderstorms Saturday evening pushing into Minnesota from Iowa. Rain is also likely through Sunday afternoon and tapering off into the evening.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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