Wet Snow Snapped Trees, Knocked Out Power For 24,000

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Tuesday had numerous Minnesotans cutting up tree branches that broke from the weight of the snow.

Those damaged trees took out power lines that temporarily left 24,000 in the dark.

"As the heavy snow loaded up the branches, it failed at what is called 'included bark,'" S&S Tree Specialists' Gail Nozal said.

Tree removal companies saw a sharp increase in calls overnight, and in many cases the trees were structurally vulnerable.

Maples are more likely to split because large branches grow close together, often making a wishbone or V-shape, and that is relatively weak.

Tree damage was scattered throughout the metro, and so were the power outages caused by tree limbs that bent and took out power lines.

But by the middle of the day, power was restored to nearly all customers.

The damage was far less than the devastating storm that hit Worthington two weeks ago.

That wiped out half of the trees in city parks and public places, and left thousands without power for days.

Arborists say keeping trees pruned will help eliminate future issues.