Powerful storm wallops Thief River Falls

Published 12:13 pm Saturday, July 13, 2013

THIEF RIVER FALLS — A line of powerful thunderstorms caused significant damage as it moved through the northwestern Minnesota city of Thief River Falls on Friday evening.

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., said numerous roofs were damaged, a motor home was flipped, and billboards were bent and broken.

The weather service said it appears most of the wind damage happened along a quarter-mile path.

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Meteorologist Dave Kellendenz said forecasters are “fairly confident” the storm packed only straight-line winds when it struck around 6 p.m. He says it lasted about 10 minutes.

Some flooding was reported in Thief River Falls as well due to the heavy rains.

A Pennington County dispatcher confirms trees and power lines are down all through the city.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries.