Two rounds of intense storms, fueled by sweltering temperatures, struck the Twin Cities metro and central Minnesota on Monday and Tuesday. The storms resulted in widespread power outages and significant damage, including downed trees. FOX 9's Bill Keller reports on the aftermath.
**Storms Cause Widespread Damage and Power Outages**
On Monday afternoon, severe storms rapidly developed following the warmest day of the year in the Twin Cities, where the heat index surpassed 110 degrees in some areas. These explosive storms quickly moved eastward across the metro, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Gusts reached over 60 mph in the metro area and exceeded 70 mph in parts of Carver County and from Cambridge to Rush City.
The storms were brief but intense, with most areas experiencing up to 20 minutes of heavy rain, accumulating up to an inch in some locations. After a brief lull overnight, a new line of storms moved through the metro at nearly 70 mph, causing even more damage. The storms brought extremely strong wind gusts that downed trees and powerlines, with rainfall rates nearing 4 inches per hour. Tuesday morning's downpours were even quicker, lasting only 10 to 15 minutes in most places.
As of mid-morning Tuesday, tens of thousands were without power, and the cleanup has begun. Reports include broken tree branches, uprooted trees, and other debris from the storms.
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