Storms smack Twin Cities
Severe storms swept across the Twin Cities this afternoon, dropping hail and torrential rain.
Spotters reported one-inch hail in Roseville and New Brighton along Interstate 35W, as well as in Mendota Heights.
Elsewhere in Minnesota, spotters reported trees down in Zimmerman, Oak Park and Milaca. Winds more than 50 miles per hour were reported in Princeton and Anoka
Police reported road flooding on Highway 280 at University Avenue, Broadway Avenue and Highway 36. They also closed Fairview Avenue under Highway 36 in Roseville for a time. Police reported some flooding on northbound Interstate 35E near Maryland Avenue, as well.
University Avenue, just east of Raymond Avenue, was also underwater following the storm.
The storms knocked out power to nearly 6,000 customers according to Xcel Energy. Nearly 1,000 of them were in the northern Twin Cities suburbs, stretching from Columbia Heights to Little Canada. Police also reported power outages at traffic lights in Anoka and Roseville during the storm.
Officials with the Anoka-Hennepin School District extended summer school briefly to make sure that students could get home safely. They also canceled classes at Wilson Elementary because of a power outage, according to the district's website.
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