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Jun 18, 2009 6:23 pm US/Central
Austin Assesses Damage From Powerful Twister
AUSTIN, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Jane Bau of sent us this picture of storm damage in Mower County after severe thunderstorms and a likely tornado on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
Jane Bau
Crews are restoring power to Austin after at least two apparent tornadoes struck the southeastern Minnesota town, knocking down trees and power lines.
At the peak of the storm, about 80 to 85 percent of Austin was without power, including the Hormel plant located downtown.
Most of that has been restored, except for the north side of town.
No serious injuries are reported. Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi says a man was treated and released for a minor hand injury.
Softball players at Todd Field in Austin and had to run for cover when the tornado hit.
Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp says a squad car and another vehicle collided Wednesday night when stoplights were out. Both vehicles had substantial damage, but no one was hurt.
A survey team from the National Weather Service was there to look at the damage and get a sense of just how strong the tornado was.
The Morem family ranch was ground zero for the tornado. Nine horses were out in the pasture when the tornado hit.
"They're in shock. We've got a couple (horses) still shaking," said Danielle Morem, who's ranch was damaged.
Flying debris and sharp metal left several animals in tough shape.
"We've got a horse out in the pasture that we're not sure is going to come out of the injuries that he has, said Danielle. "Other then that, we're lucky to have ... all of them alive now."
Dan Morem's two businesses are also a pile of debris.
"We lost our horse barn, we lost our lawn service," said Dan. "All our trucks are buried in the back there and damaged; the outside of our house (is damaged)."
Already, help is pouring in with donations of muscle and machine. They are securing the roof and cutting the downed trees.
Despite the devastation, Dan said his family is lucky -- if only the horses had a basement too.
"These horses are like our children's barrel racing horses, roping horses," said Dan.
Some area farmers helped the Morem family by taking some of the horses off the farm to care for them. Others were cared for by veterinarians.
(© 2009 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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