There were seven, count them, seven tornadoes which touched down on Wednesday across portions of southern Minnesota. The National Weather Service says two EF-0 twisters hit south of Nicollet while two of the same strength ran on the ground in Winthrop. There were also E-F-0 tornadoes which touched down briefly in New Prague and Lester Prairie. The strongest twister of the day was in Sibley County, causing damage to trees and out buildings in New Sweden. The E-F-1 tornado had winds over 100-miles-an-hour. Despite all of the funnel clouds on Wednesday, there were no injuries reported.
Despite all the swirling winds on Wednesday there were no injuries after seven tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota. Weather officials say only one reached E-F-1 status. Meanwhile, heavy rains left basements flooded and cars stalled across much of southern and central Minnesota. Nearly nine and a half inches of rain fell in Redwood Falls while Morton and Beaver Falls received close to seven inches.
Search teams have found a body believed to be that of a man missing for more than a month in northern Minnesota. An autopsy is being conducted to see if the body discovered in a wooded area is 29-year old John Greenwaldt of Brainerd, who was last seen on July 14th.
The crash of a semi caused lanes in both directions of Interstate-494 in the metro to be closed on Thursday. The truck collided with an SUV at an exit in Bloomington, bursting into flames. One driver suffered minor injuries. The Interstate reopened late last night.
The state’s minimum wage is going up at the start of next year. Officials announced the small increase which will be 15 cents an hour for adult workers at large employers while those who work for small employers, along with youths, will received 12 cents more per hour. The wage hike is for inflation.
Over 300 law enforcement agencies from across the state will be targeting drunk drivers starting today through September 3rd. State Patrol Lieutenant Robert Zak says nearly one out of every four deaths on Minnesota roads is drung driving-related. In the last five years,(2012-2016), preliminary numbers show there were 432 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota.
The Twins grabbed a split in their doubleheader with Cleveland, losing the opener 9-4 but taking the nightcap 4-2 at Target Field.