Tornadoes touched down across Minnesota on Monday as nearly 90,000 residents were given just minutes to seek shelter amid some of the most dangerous weather conditions to hit the Midwest this year.
At a Glance
- At least 14 tornadoes were reported across Minnesota, with confirmed touchdowns near Nisswa, Gull Lake, and Lake Shore.
- A record-tying 101 mph wind gust was recorded at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Kansas.
- The severe weather system produced threats of baseball-sized hail and hurricane-force winds across multiple Midwest states.
- The National Weather Service issued urgent tornado warnings for several Minnesota counties, with watches effective until 9 p.m.
- Officials continue to advise residents to take cover in basements or interior rooms and stay away from windows.
Tornadoes Touch Down Across Minnesota
On Monday, multiple tornadoes touched down across Minnesota as a powerful severe weather system swept through the Midwest. A tornado was confirmed near Nisswa and Gull Lake, with another spotted in Lake Shore. Video footage from North Mankato also showed a tornado touching down in a field.
As reported by MSN, the National Weather Service issued urgent warnings as nearly 90,000 residents in west-central Minnesota were given just minutes to seek shelter from the dangerous, rotating storm.
Record-Breaking Winds and Severe Conditions
In Wichita, Kansas, a 101 mph wind gust was recorded at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, tying the all-time highest wind speed ever recorded there. According to Fox Weather, the severe thunderstorms also produced baseball-sized hail across the region.
“TORNADOES REPORTED IN MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA AS RECORD 101-MPH WIND GUST BLASTS WICHITA, KANSAS,” the National Weather Service reported. While no significant damage was immediately confirmed, the NWS warned of expected hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs and trees.
Safety Measures and an Ongoing Threat
During tornado warnings, officials continue to advise people to take cover in basements or interior rooms on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. The Midwest is expected to experience prolonged severe weather, with threats of tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding continuing through the week.
“A round of storms set to arrive in Minnesota Monday afternoon will threaten parts of the state with severe weather, prompting a NEXT Weather Alert,” reported CBS News. Meteorologists noted that the period from mid-June through July typically marks the peak of the severe weather season in the region.
