Storms knock out power to thousands in North Dakota

Thousands of people in the Fargo area remained without electricity on Tuesday after strong storms the night before knocked out power to an estimated 26,000 people in the metro area, along with hundreds more in rural areas.

The Forum newspaper reports that utilities say some people could be in the dark until Wednesday.

Some streets in West Fargo also remained closed early Tuesday because of flooding from rain.

The National Weather Service says the storms packed winds at least as strong as 70 mph. They damaged buildings, trees and vehicles in southeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. No serious injuries were immediately reported.

The Grand Forks Herald reports that Amtrak trains heading west into western Minnesota and North Dakota were delayed late Monday, along with Delta flights to the city.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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