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Flower Farm Damaged In Minn. Storm Outbreak

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — A farm in Redwood County of southern Minnesota took a heavy blow when residents say a tornado struck.

Suzanne Schmiesing, who grows flowers south of Lucan, tells KEYC-TV it was frightening because she didn't have sight of her kids when it struck Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Otto, who lives nearby, says he saw a funnel develop right over the farm, and then watched the rooms of the greenhouses blow away.

The National Weather Service received multiple reports of funnels with brief touchdowns in the county.

Schmiesing says three greenhouses were missing and another was wrecked. She estimates it caused at least $20,000 in damage to her property.

Schmiesing opened her flower farm for the season on Saturday. She expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from neighbors who showed to help.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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