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North Mpls Residents Continue Clean-Up From Tornado

By Reg Chapman, WCCO-TV 

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As the clean-up continues, we're learning more about Sunday's tornado that tore through North Minneapolis, resulting in two deaths.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday the tornado was either a strong EF-1. That means winds were in excess of 100 miles an hour.

A map of the twister's path shows it started at Interstate 394 and Highway 100 in St. Louis Park. From there, it crossed over the freeway and toward Theodore Wirth Park, and after that it hit north Minneapolis.

It hit Lowry and Logan Avenues, then moved on to 42nd and Lyndale Avenues. But the tornado wasn't finished as it headed north, jumping across the Mississippi River and into Anoka County.

Residents of north Minneapolis have seen the bent signs, the downed trees and power lines. But for the first time since Sunday's tornad, some north siders got their first look at the damage left behind on Tuesday.

"I feel like I am in a movie you know and I just happen to be in it," said resident Kris McCarthy.

For many who ventured back into their neighborhoods for the first time since Sunday's tornado, the reality of what happened is starting to soak in.

John and Kris McCarthy just moved their last load from Crystal into their dream home in north Minneapolis. Just in time for a tornado to rip the roof right off of it. They watched as city employees walked door to door, evaluating each home to see if they are structurally sound.

If it's deemed unfit to live in, an orange sticker is placed on the house. That sticker now sits on their dream home..but they said it's too special for them to let it go.

"You should see the inside of the house, it's beautiful. They're not making vintage homes anymore," John McCarthy said.

The refinshed wood floors and fancy chandelier remain. The windows are gone, and shards of glass now cover the walls.

The downstairs of the house didn't suffer too much damage. But upstairs, there's a ceiling but no roof, nothing but sky up above. The McCarthy's said they are fortunate.

"We got a place until Friday and then we are working on something for beyond that," John McCarthy said.

The couple said they plan to regroup and then get back to work at restoring their dream home.

City officials said if an orange sticker is on your house, don't go in because it's too dangerous. No one in this area has lights, gas, or water, and they are not alone. There is an entirely different section of north Minneapolis where people have not been allowed back into their homes yet.

The city said it hopes to get streets cleared there to allow them a look at what's left on Wednesday.

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