Tornado Warning in Twin Cities Area: Minneapolis and St Paul

by Alyzee | August 19, 2009 at 01:30 pm

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A tornado warning has been issued in Minneapolis as strong winds toppled large trees, blew away a convention`s tents and part of a church steeple Wednesday afternoon close to downtown, according to USA today. Local media Kare11 reports winds to be traveling northward. Heavy rains are moving through Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin, where a flood advisory has been issued.

Some parts of Pine County already had received up to four inches in the slow-moving storms that are moving northeast. Small hail and lighting also are possible with the storms.

The winds also took down power lines in several neighborhoods in Minneapolis, resulting in 7,000 residents without electricity.

Hennepin County sheriff's officials said trained weather spotters also reported seeing a tornado.

Electric Fetus, a local record store, was badly damaged. According to some real-time tweeting by an employee, two large windows were blown in and part of the roof caved in.