3rd day, no power for some in N. Minn.

Thousands of people in northern Minnesota are heading into a third day without power.

Lake Country Power says there were more than 11,500 of its customers in the Grand Rapids area without power after storms with 80 mph winds swept through northern Minnesota on Monday night.

The utility says that it had restored service to about a third of those customers as of last night. The company said crews had to clear storm debris to reach downed lines and equipment.

Lake Country says another 2,000 customers were left without power after more storms struck over the Fourth of July holiday. The company said high winds knocked out power near Lake Vermillion near the towns of Ely and Cook. The company says it has crews in both areas and is trying to get the power back up as quickly as possible.

The National Weather Service says more storms and possible heavy rain are likely on the way Friday from west central Minnesota through the northeast.