Wind, Hail Damage Reported After Night Of Severe Storms
MELROSE, Minn. (WCCO) -- People in central Minnesota are cleaning up after a night of severe storms.
Hail and heavy rain caused some of the damage, but strong winds are being blamed for uprooting trees and bringing down power lines. Footage from Sky 4 shows how the city of Belgrade and other parts of Stearns County were hit hard.
This is one of the many buildings damaged. A boat dealership lost part of its roof. But from Melrose to Belgrade, the winds left downed trees and power lines.
A chorus of chainsaws signals a day of cleanup after high winds paid an unwelcome visit.
Gallery: Storm Damage From Sept. 20, 2017
"Long night and long day," Belgrade resident Linda Iverson said.
At about 1 a.m., a large elm tree pulled power lines off Linda Iverson's house and trapped the car in her garage.
"I came through the house I looked out the back door windows and I seen the powerlines down and said I won't be going to work today," Iverson said.
A lot of folks didn't - and instead spent the day cleaning up. Kevin Barnes is trapped too.
"It went through the garage and I can't get the door open, one big branch is on it over there," Belgrade resident Kevin Barnes said.
High winds crushed steel grain bins and snapped power poles. Xcel Energy crews worked throughout the day to restore service.
In Melrose, a Jennie-O steel storage barn was flattened.
"I looked out the window this way thinking how the heck am I going to get this done. But by golly it's going to be done before supper the way it looks," Ray Volkenant said.
Done, thanks to the helping hands of friends and neighbors. A long trail of damage from this September surprise.
Most of the power has since been restored. Despite the damage to crops and homes, the good news is there were no reported injuries.
