Heavy thunderstorms struck Monday afternoon and caused tornadoes, hail and strong winds across the state.
9pm – Search and rescue efforts are underway in the town of Forada, according to Julie Anderson, Douglas County Director of Emergency Management. He says an alleged tornado damaged up to 100 structures in the area. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far. Some homes are badly damaged or a total loss, but it’s not clear how many, Anderson told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.
Meanwhile, Todd County officials are advising people to stay away from the city of Eagle Bend while crews clear roads and assess damage to the area.
6:24 pm – A tornado warning is in effect for parts of Carver, Wright and McLeod counties as the storm system approaches the Twin Cities subway. The alert will expire at 6:45 p.m.
An independent tornado warning was issued for Wright County Center until 7 p.m., including Delano, Buffalo, Monticello and Albertville.
There is an additional risk of 70 mph winds and a quarter hail in a severe storm warning area that includes Hennepin, McLeod, Nicollet, Sibley and Wright counties until 6:45 p.m.
Severe storm warning for Hennepin, McLeoud, Nicollet, Sibley and Wright counties until 6:45 p.m. Chance of a quarter hail and 70 mph gusts. @kstp pic.twitter.com/n7tM0pdwUd
– Wren Clair (@ WrenClair5) May 30, 2022
18:00 – A tornado warning has been issued for Cass County in north central Minnesota and remains in effect until 18:15. “This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the National Meteorological Service warned.
5:20 pm – Tornado warnings have been issued for eastern Todd and northwestern Morrison counties, as well as southeastern Wadena County, until 6 p.m.
According to KSTP meteorologist Matt Serwe, this storm line has a “history of tornado production” and could come with “widespread harmful winds.”
5:04 pm – A “large, extremely dangerous tornado” was detected on Eagle Bend heading northeast at 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Eastern Douglas and Todd counties remain under a tornado warning until 5:30 p.m.
I turned several rotation areas toward Todd County. Heavy traffic near Eagle Bend still has a confirmed tornado.
Again, if you live west of Todd County, west of Highway 71, you should be in your tornado shelter.
Live radar: pic.twitter.com/d2E25tOHh8
– Matt Serwe (@SerweWX) May 30, 2022
A tornado warning was also issued for Otter Tail and Becker counties in northwestern Minnesota. The alert remains in effect until 5:45 p.m.
4:50 pm – Several tornado warnings were issued in midwestern and southwestern Minnesota by:
- Douglas and Todd Counties until 5:30 p.m.
- Parts of Pope, Chippewa, Stearns, Swift and Kandiyohi counties until 5:30 p.m.
- Jackson and Cottonwood counties until 5:15 p.m.
Here is the overview when we approach at 17:00:
– Confirmed tornado east of Pope County, to Todd County
-Storm line in western and southwestern Minnesota that can cause straight line wind damage and embedded tornadoes
Live radar: @KSTP pic.twitter.com/OwvebiXBva
– Matt Serwe (@SerweWX) May 30, 2022
4:37 pm – Southwestern County Otter Tail is under a tornado warning until 5:15 p.m. Henning, Ottertail, Deer Creek, Clitherall, Vining, Urbank and Almora are in the affected area.
KSTP meteorologist Matt Serwe reports that a confirmed tornado landed near Alexandria.
16:25 – A tornado warning has been issued for Douglas and Pope County counties until 5 p.m., and will be near Glenwood, Lowry, Alexandria and Carlos.
4:07 pm – A new tornado warning is in effect until 4:30 pm for Grant County in midwestern Minnesota, including Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby, Herman, Barrett, Wendell and Norcross.
A building was destroyed on Monday, May 30, 2022 after an alleged tornado crossed Forada, Minnesota. (KSTP)
Another tornado warning was issued for parts of Douglas and Pope counties and remains in effect until 4:45 p.m. The affected area includes Alexandria, Glenwood, Starbucks and Kensington.
A tornado warning for Lyon County, including the cities of Marshall and Cottonwood, is also in effect until 4:45 p.m.
3:38 pm – Tornado warnings are in effect until 4 pm southeast of Big Stone County and south of Stevens and West Swift Counties in midwestern Minnesota.
The tornado warning in the far west of Minnesota, including Big Stone County, is still in effect until 3:45 p.m. Here’s the potential track / locations affected. @kstp pic.twitter.com/Xo2vszeZ1s
– Wren Clair (@ WrenClair5) May 30, 2022
This latest tornado warning near Appleton and south of Morris has a storm moving north at 70-80 mph.
With storms so strong that they move so fast, paying attention, having a safety plan, and being prepared to act is very important. pic.twitter.com/Orb3KYIDzD
– Matt Serwe (@SerweWX) May 30, 2022
Tornado surveillance is in effect in most of western and north-central Minnesota until 10 p.m. As of 3 p.m., the alert area did not include most of the Twin Cities subway.
The National Weather Service classified the approaching storm as a “particularly dangerous situation,” with tornadoes, a tennis ball-sized hailstorm and winds reaching 80 mph.
As the storms move east, click here to see the latest severe weather alerts.
Meteorologist Matt Serwe said the damaging winds are likely to become the main impact as storms move east in the late afternoon.
Serwe said eastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities subway, still has the possibility of isolated tornadoes and heavy hail between 6 and 9 p.m.
Because storms are moving so fast, Serwe said high water on the roads is more likely to be unlikely than sudden widespread flooding.
Live weather updates can be found on the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS interactive radar.
If you can safely take a photo or video of the weather or storm damage, you can send them to KSTP by CLICKING HERE.
Check out the NWS tips below for severe weather warnings and staying safe during tornadoes.
WHAT TO DO: Stay informed. Take your time, think about where to take refuge, how long will it take to get there if a warning is issued?
Outdoor plans? Consider EXTRA and there are several ways to get alerts. Morning storms caused blackouts and the threat this afternoon is greater. #MNwx #WIwx pic.twitter.com/3rgISF5o0k
– NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 30, 2022
INITIAL REPORT: The weather will be hot, humid and windy during the first part of Memorial Day, with severe storms forecast throughout the state during the afternoon and evening hours.
This is one of those days when it could take 10 minutes for time and no one would get bored.
– Matt Serwe (@SerweWX) May 30, 2022
In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, meteorologist Matt Serwe said storms with strong winds, hail and heavy rain will be possible until 10 p.m.
Those attending Memorial Day celebrations should prepare for strong winds, small hail, and heavy local rain.
Winds can rise as high as 40 mph south after the morning round of storms, increasing heat and humidity to send high temperatures into the upper 80s.
Here’s the latest SPC perspective for Monday. Improved risk has spread to most of Minnesota and moderate risk is slightly higher.
However, the main takeaways are the same:
– Tornadoes possible west and center of MN after 4pm – Severe storms in twin cities from 6pm to 9pm pic.twitter.com/hLhuL8L0Xf
– Matt Serwe (@SerweWX) May 30, 2022
Serwe says severe storms are expected to develop in western Minnesota around 3 p.m., with numerous possible tornadoes, some of which could be strong and include long-haul tornadoes.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has raised its serious risk warning for Monday in Minnesota, adding that there is potential for a tornado outbreak in the western part of the state during the afternoon and evening. The force of the tornado could be at least an EF2.
Storms are then expected to reach the metropolitan area between 6 and 9 a.m. Monday afternoon and weaken as they move to central west Wisconsin.
NWS has issued a sudden flood alert for parts of northern Minnesota Monday night through Tuesday morning.
In the early hours of Monday morning, strong winds were recorded in southern Minnesota.
Straight winds have been blown in the Montevideo area, causing trees to fall.
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