1 dead, extensive storm damage in western and central Minnesota

Another round of severe weather hammered western and central Minnesota Thursday evening.

The system formed in Kansas and Nebraska and then raced rapidly into South Dakota and southwest Minnesota at speeds of up to 80 mph.

Wind gusts as high as 94 mph are recorded in Madison and Verndale Minnesota. Many gusts over 70 mph are reported.

Here are some select storm reports from Thursday around Minnesota.

• At 5:09 PM CDT, 1 ENE Madison [Lake Co, SD] AWOS reports TSTM WND GST of M97 MPH. AWOS STATION KMDS MADISON AIRPORT.

• 1 W Marshall [Lyon Co, MN] AWOS reports TSTM WND GST of M78 MPH at 5:58 PM CDT -- AWOS STATION KMML MARSHALL MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

• 4 SSE Milan [Chippewa Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND DMG at 6:20 PM CDT -- 12 INCH DIAMETER TREES DOWN 5 MILES NW OF WATSON. DOZENS OF ADDITIONAL TREES DOWN IN VICINITY. ROADS BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES.

• 3 NW Chokio [Stevens Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND GST of M66 MPH at 12 May, 6:49 PM CDT --

• 3 S Benson [Swift Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND DMG at 12 May, 6:40 PM CDT -- TREES DOWN AND STEEL BUILDING DAMAGED NEAR INTERSECTION OF 40TH ST AND HWY 29. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

• Chokio [Stevens Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND DMG at 12 May, 6:47 PM CDT -- CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM CHOKIO. SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE REPORTED TO THE CITY OF CHOKIO INCLUDING POWER POLES SNAPPED AT BASE, LIVE WIRES, 3.5 FEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE TREES SNAPPED AND ON HOUSES.

• Garfield [Douglas Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND DMG at 12 May, 7:21 PM CDT -- POWER LINES DOWN, SEMI TIPPED OVER.

• ALEXANDRIA,MN (AXN) ASOS (Caution: Maintenance Check Indicator) reports gust of 63 knots (72.5 mph) from WSW @ 0026Z

• 2 NE Waite Park [Stearns Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 12 May, 7:37 PM CDT -- TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED FUNNEL CLOUD 3 MILES NW OF VETERANS DRIVE AND CO RD 120.

• 2 SSW Maple Lake [Wright Co, MN] MESONET reports TSTM WND GST of M63 MPH at 12 May, 7:45 PM CDT -- MESONET STATION EW1587 MAPLE LAKE.

• 7 WNW Long Prairie [Todd Co, MN] EMERGENCY MNGR reports TSTM WND DMG at 12 May, 8:51 PM CDT -- HOUSE FINE, SHED AND BARN MISSING AT THE MOMENT. TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ALL OVER THE COUNTY PER THE EM.

• 2 E Richfield [Hennepin Co, MN] ASOS reports TSTM WND GST of M53 MPH at 12 May, 8:53 PM CDT -- ASOS STATION KMSP MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AP.

• 1 WSW Shakopee [Scott Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TSTM WND GST of M67 MPH at 12 May, 8:19 PM CDT --

Damage is reported at many locations in western and central Minnesota.

Sadly one fatality is reported near Blomkest, Minnesota as a grain bin fell on an occupied car.

The system did extensive damage to trees and power lines.

As of this post, Xcel Energy reports more than 33,000 customers without power across our region.

Beautiful Friday

We’ve earned a beautiful and quiet Friday and weekend. Highs Friday will return to the comfy 70s across most of Minnesota.