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Jun 18, 2009 7:12 am US/Central
Tornado Downs Trees, Power Lines In Austin
AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) ―
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A group of storm chasers called Twister Sisters caught this image of the tornado near Austin, Minn. late Wednesday.
Brad Nelson
Daylight Thursday revealed a path of destruction left by an apparent tornado in Austin where vehicles were tossed about, homes were heavily damaged and power lines were knocked down.
No serious injuries were reported, but one man who was inside a shed suffered scrapes and bruises when it overturned.
Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm said it appeared two or three tornadoes -- and possibly up to five -- had hit.
"It kind of developed on top of us," Stiehm said. "It just kind of 'boom,' it was just there and the intensity got real bad."
Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp surveyed the damage by helicopter early Thursday.
The National Weather Service said a tornado appeared to touch down in Austin about 8 p.m., sending debris flying. The storm flipped cars on their sides and sent trees through roofs. It also flipped a semi on its side. A dispatcher in the Mower County Sheriff's Office said there was a report of a car blown into a house.
Highway 218 north of Austin was closed due to a fallen power line.
Dawn Butler, manager of Windrift Lounge and restaurant, said one man inside a shed was injured when it was flipped by high wind. Butler said the man went to the hospital as a precaution.
National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Shea said evidence points to a tornado, but officials wouldn't know for sure until they surveyed the damage.
Philipp said he saw three tornado touchdowns in Austin, including one at a distance of about 100 yards.
Tornado touchdowns were reported elsewhere in southern Minnesota, and those reports were also awaiting confirmation.
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Mower County law enforcement plan to have a press conference about the damage at 9 a.m. Thursday.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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