MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A powerful thunderstorm is rumbling through Minnesota, pounding communities in the west and south of the state with strong wind and hail, damaging homes and cutting power in some areas.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for a broad swath of central and southern Minnesota, and a tornado watch for the southwest of the state. The storm is due to move into the Twin Cities late Sunday night.

The weather service says winds could exceed 60 mph.

The agency says power was reportedly cut to much of the cities of Kandiyohi and Atwater, in Kandiyohi County. The storm downed large trees and utility poles in many western counties and destroyed a barn and tore the roof from a home in Grove City.

Here’s a picture of a storm system near Herman earlier today:

(credit: Nancy & Larry Brunkow)

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