A powerful storm system swept across the Midwest on Monday, causing widespread disruption and forcing evacuations at the Minnesota State Fair.
The severe weather brought torrential rain, damaging winds, and large hail to several states, leaving tens of thousands without power and causing significant property damage.
According to Fox Weather, the storms were part of a larger weather pattern that combined extreme heat with severe thunderstorms across the region. The severe weather event affected multiple states, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.
In Minnesota, fairgoers at the State Fair in St. Paul were forced to flee for safety as heavy rain led to flash flooding on the fairgrounds. The impact of the storms was so severe that fair officials delayed the opening of the fairgrounds on Tuesday to allow for damage assessment and cleanup.
The storms left a trail of destruction in their wake, with trees snapped like twigs and power lines downed across the affected areas. Minnesota was particularly hard hit, with over 136,000 power outages reported. Neighboring Wisconsin also experienced significant disruptions, with more than 14,000 customers left without electricity.
In Waconia, Minnesota, residents captured dramatic footage of trees being knocked down by the powerful winds. The storms' intensity was further demonstrated by reports of large hail, including hailstones measuring up to 4 inches in diameter near Inman, Nebraska, which were capable of damaging car windshields.
Xcel Energy, a major utility provider in Minnesota, stated that they were working diligently to restore power. They expressed hope that the majority of affected customers would have their service restored by the end of Thursday, indicating the extent of the damage to the power infrastructure.
At the Minnesota State Fair, one of the state's most popular annual events, officials were forced to take swift action to ensure public safety. Fair officials released a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "Due to heavy winds and rain, the fairgrounds opening is delayed to allow for damage assessment and cleanup." After conducting a thorough assessment, the decision was made to open the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, several hours later than usual.
The storms also affected sporting events in the area. A baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves at Target Field in Minneapolis was delayed for approximately two hours due to the severe weather. The ground crew had to quickly cover the field, and fans were instructed to leave the stands and seek shelter due to the threat of lightning.
The severe thunderstorms were part of a larger weather system that brought a combination of extreme heat and dangerous storm conditions to the Midwest. Some areas experienced heat index values soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a challenging environment for residents and emergency responders alike.
Wind damage was reported across the region, with a particularly strong gust of 70 mph recorded near Edgemont, South Dakota. The powerful winds uprooted trees in several Minnesota communities, including Mendota and Bloomington, adding to the cleanup efforts required in the storm's aftermath.
The weather system's impact extended beyond Monday, with forecasts indicating that the threat of severe weather would continue into Tuesday. Cities such as Chicago and Detroit were expected to face potential storm risks, suggesting that the effects of this weather pattern could be felt across a significant portion of the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
The severe storms that struck the Midwest on Monday caused widespread disruption, forcing evacuations at the Minnesota State Fair and leaving tens of thousands without power. The weather system brought a combination of heavy rain, damaging winds, and large hail to several states. As cleanup efforts began, forecasts warned of potential further severe weather in the region, extending the impact of this significant weather event into Tuesday.
