A preliminary investigation into damaging thunderstorms in southeast Minnesota on Monday has revealed that at least three tornadoes may have touched down in western Fillmore County.
That’s according to Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge, who said the first twister hit at 1:39 p.m. and traveled through Howard County, Iowa, before crossing the border into Minnesota.
“At least four farm sites sustained damage to buildings,” DeGeorge says. “The Sheriff’s Office has received no reports of injuries to people or livestock. Some homes sustained minor wind and tree damage.”
According to the National Weather Service, one of the tornadoes touched down near Greenleafton in Fillmore County at 1:54 p.m.
It was only 25 yards wide at its maximum width and stayed on the ground for approximately three miles while producing 85 mph winds, making it an EF-0 tornado.
The Rochester Post-Bulletin sent a photographer to farm sites hit by the Greenleafton-area tornado.
The pictures show fairly significant building damage and the roof to a cattle barn missing.
More damage assessments are being conducted and it’s not yet clear if the tornado that hit the Greenleafton area is the one that the National Weather Service referred to as a “confirmed large and dangerous” tornado.
“This storm developed quickly,” DeGeorge adding, reminding people “to be mindful of the potential for severe weather” and to have a safety plan in place.
by Joe Nelson (2019, May 8) Bring Me The News
