High winds buffet SW Minnesota, knock out power

Published 12:43 pm Saturday, July 2, 2011

REDWOOD FALLS — A fierce summer storm packing winds of 80 to 100 mph blew across southwestern Minnesota Friday, downing trees and power lines and ripping roofs off houses.

Marshall Fire Chief Marc Klaith said roofs were torn off in Marshall, Russell and Balaton, and a “significant amount of trees” are down in Marshall. But no injuries are reported.

In central Minnesota, McLeod County Emergency Management Director Kevin Mathews says the roof was torn off a Hutchinson animal medical center, and two semis were blown off highways.

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