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Minnesota Tornado: Widespread damage to homes in Forada amid 'large and extremely dangerous' storm

A severe weather outbreak is unfolding across the plains and Midwest, the NWS classified it as a 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' due to tornado risk

It’s been a dangerous Memorial Day in Minnesota. A severe weather system began moving across parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Monday, May 30th afternoon. Now approximately 1 million people are under the Tornado watch. The watch is in effect until 10 pm. The major risks from the storms will be damaging winds with speeds up to 70 mph and hail larger than 2 inches. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported, “This tornado watch is being classified as a Particularly Dangerous Situation. The environment favors strong tornadoes in these areas. Monitor this situation closely,” NWS also gave a heads up that this has a high probability for two or more tornados to come from it. According to them, the tornado was reported on the ground at 4:45 p.m. CDT. Damage was also reported near Alexandria on Maple Lake. Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas could see numerous severe storms into Monday, May 30, night.

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Bill Borghoff, a senior meteorologist at the NWS Twin Cities said, “This is going to be a dangerous evening! Please pay attention to trends this evening." Multiple emergency responders are on the scene as the NWS is keeping a particularly close eye on the area west of the I-35 corridor. As per the weather service, the storms are expected to weaken as they move into west-central Wisconsin.

According to Julie Anderson, director of Douglas County Emergency Management. She says a suspected tornado damaged as many as 100 structures in Forada. So far no deaths or major injuries have been reported. A separate tornado warning was issued for central Wright County through 7 pm, including Delano, Buffalo, Monticello and Albertville. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says that downed power lines and trees blocked, at one point, all roads leading into the town, which is located roughly 10 miles south of Alexandria. Crews have since deactivated the downed lines and have been working to clear the debris. 

According to KSTP Meteorologist Matt Serwe, this line of storms has a “history of producing tornadoes” and could come with “widespread damaging winds.”

Meanwhile, the residents are battling power crises and have taken to social media to share a glimpse of the debris and the damage that has been done by the storms.