MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands are still without power in the Twin Cities after strong storms packing high winds moved through the area.

Xcel Energy said on its website Saturday morning that about 276,000 customers are without power. It said its infrastructure suffered significant damage and that restoration efforts will be a large, “multi-day event.”

The winds and rain blew into the metro area Friday evening after raking across central Minnesota. Hennepin County Emergency Management Director Eric Waage said he saw “quite a few large trees down” as he surveyed damage from Friday night’s storm.

The National Weather Service said a wind gust measuring 69 mph was reported just before 8 p.m. in Crystal in the northern Twin Cities.