Five of the 14 people treated at Albert Lea Medical Center for injuries sustained during Thursday evening’s storms were transported to Rochester, and three were admitted to the Albert Lea Medical Center, said Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever during a 1 p.m. press conference.

Kluever said several county staff teams that have been out surveying damage traveled back to Albert Lea for a 12:30 p.m. meeting to discuss updates about damage. There are still teams out in the field that have not made it back since leaving this morning.

During the press conference in the Freeborn County Commissioners Board Room,

Kluever said Freeborn County Engineer Sue Miller’s staff have driven through all of the county’s roads and are now telling the public that roads are clear.

Freeborn County Sheriff Mark Harig is advising that people travel with caution, Kluever added. There are some ditches that could potentially have problems if there is more rain.

The county administrator said Minnesota National Guard soldiers remain deployed throughout 12 checkpoints in Freeborn County, and he doesn’t anticipate any change in that deployment throughout Friday.

He also anticipates a more solid number in damage assessments from county assessment crews this afternoon.

He’s heard many “heartwarming stories,” he said, of neighbors helping neighbors, even when they may be facing damage of their own.

He said Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services has about 100 poles down, and 145 to 150 people who are still without power, he said. He did not have an update about Alliant Energy members.

Look to www.AlbertLeaTribune.com for more.