Severe weather swept through southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, alongside multiple tornado warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed five tornadoes, each with varying intensities, that touched down in the region.
Among the confirmed tornadoes, one occurred in Yucatan and was rated as an EF1, boasting peak winds of 100 mph. This tornado stayed on the ground for approximately 13 minutes and traversed a distance of about 6.5 miles, leading to damage mainly to trees and the roof of an outbuilding.
Another EF1 tornado was reported north of Zumbro Falls, also hitting speeds of 100 mph. This tornado was significantly quicker, staying on the ground for just one minute but causing substantial destruction by ripping off the roof of a mobile home, damaging trees, and overturning farm equipment, along with heavy damage to a barn over a distance of just under a mile.
The tornado in Nodine registered as an EF0, impacting the area for only a minute and causing minor damage by snapping off tree limbs. It too traveled less than a mile. Similarly, the Hokah tornado, rated as an EF0, lasted for just a minute and caused limited damage to a few pine trees over a distance of 0.11 miles.
The final tornado, located west of New Albin, was on the ground for five minutes and covered a distance of 3.64 miles without causing structural damage, although it did affect some trees. This tornado, like the others, was categorized as an EF0.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported from any of these tornadoes, showcasing the resilience of the community amid such severe weather. While tornadoes can often lead to grave outcomes, the lack of casualties in this incident provides a glimmer of hope and reflects effective preparedness within the affected areas.