Rochester Hit by 70+ MPH Wind Gust During Severe Storms, Tree Damage and Power Outages Reported

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A line of severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds to Rochester and southeastern Minnesota Monday night into Tuesday morning. 

See Also: One Killed in Crash on Hwy. 14 Near Owatonna 

The National Weather Service says the strong storms were fueled by high heat and humidity on Monday. The storms ignited over South Dakota before sweeping across Minnesota. 

The line stretched as far north and Duluth and as far south as Northern Iowa. 

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Severe Storms Sweeping Across Minnesota Produce 70+ MPH Wind Gust Reported in Rochester, Damage Reported Across Southeast Minnesota

Weather officials report southeastern Minnesota saw widespread wind speeds of 60-70+ mph during the storms, which caused damage to trees and powerlines. 

The strongest gust reported overnight was at the Rochester airport where the wind speed peaked at 76 mph. 

The same storm system produced wind speeds of 80-90+mph in northern Iowa.

1 inch of rain was reported in northeast Rochester and three-quarters of an inch of rain fell in northwest Rochester. Less than half of an inch of rain was reported at the Rochester airport.

No tornados were reported in Minnesota. The National Weather Service indicates three tornadoes were spotted in South Dakota. 

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, 24 Rochester Public Utilities customers are without power. RPU indicates its crews restored to 45 power outages in the past 24 hours.