Power Outage in Austin, MN

The automated weather observing equipment at the Austin airport measured a wind gust of 60 mph. The winds blew down trees and power lines throughout Austin causing the entire city to lose power.

Tree branches were blown down in Austin that caused power lines to come down.

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 5 inches of snow fell across Mower County. In addition to the snow, a period of sleet and freezing rain occurred that coated exposed surfaces with a glaze of ice. With the coating of ice, around 100 power poles were snapped across the western sections of the county and power lines were brought down in various spots by the strong winds.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down on the west side of Austin.

Several trees were blown down in Austin. Some homes and vehicles were damaged by the fallen trees. Around 700 customers lost power because of the storm damage.

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across Mower County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed several roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. At least one home was damaged in Austin by part of a tree that fell on it. All the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 10 inches in Grand Meadow and the highest recorded wind speed was 44 mph at the Austin airport.

Trees and power lines were blown down in the city of Austin. The broadcast media also reported a roof blown off a building in Austin while wind gusts hit 47 mph several times (1315, 1335, and 1855 GMT) on October 27th at the Austin Municipal Airport.

Power lines were knocked down leading to a few sparks and some smoke on the roof of a house, but a fire did not start.

A tornado caused damage on the north and northeast side of the city of Austin. Specific reports included minor tree damage, as well as debris blown into fences and bent poles on the northwest side of Austin. Several power poles were snapped off or bent along Highway 218 on the north side of the city. Several metal work buildings were heavily damaged along 243rd St, along with numerous trees and some minor roof damage to nearby homes. Large debris, such as metal dumpsters, were tossed large distances. There was straight-line wind damage noted south of the tornado path, or along Highway 218 and 4th St NW. Several homes had minor damage, with numerous trees blown over or sheared off along 236th and 237th Street directly north of downtown Austin. There was considerable damage done in Todd Park, including athletic equipment, small buildings and hundreds of trees toppled and uprooted. The north side of the park, including the northern softball fields had the most damage. There was also considerable tree damage along 21st St NE or 555th Ave, which continued into the Austin Country Club. Minor damage was noted about a half mile east of the Austin airport and about 2 miles southeast of the airport. One minor injury was reported when a man sustained scrapes and bruises when he took shelter in a shed that rolled over twice.

A tornado caused damage on the north and northeast side of the city of Austin. Specific reports included minor tree damage, as well as debris blown into fences and bent poles on the northwest side of Austin. Several power poles were snapped off or bent along Highway 218 on the north side of the city. Several metal work buildings were heavily damaged along 243rd St, along with numerous trees and some minor roof damage to nearby homes. Large debris, such as metal dumpsters, were tossed large distances. There was straight-line wind damage noted south of the tornado path, or along Highway 218 and 4th St NW. Several homes had minor damage, with numerous trees blown over or sheared off along 236th and 237th Street directly north of downtown Austin. There was considerable damage done in Todd Park, including athletic equipment, small buildings and hundreds of trees toppled and uprooted. The north side of the park, including the northern softball fields had the most damage. There was also considerable tree damage along 21st St NE or 555th Ave, which continued into the Austin Country Club. Minor damage was noted about a half mile east of the Austin airport and about 2 miles southeast of the airport. One minor injury was reported when a man sustained scrapes and bruises when he took shelter in a shed that rolled over twice.

Power lines and trees were knocked down. A few trees were blocking roads.

A line of thunderstorms moved across portions of southeast Minnesota during the afternoon of July 11th. These storms produced some damaging winds that blew down trees and power lines in and near Austin (Mower County).

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across southeast Minnesota during the afternoon of June 30th. These storms primarily produced damaging winds across portions of Mower and Fillmore Counties. An outbuilding suffered damaged to the siding and framing near Lyle (Mower County) while trees and power lines were blown down in Mabel (Fillmore County). Around 1,100 customers were without power in Lyle following the storm.

Small lines of severe thunderstorms formed along a fast moving cold front during the afternoon of May 24th. These thunderstorms caused sporadic wind damage starting near Fountain and Harmony (Fillmore County) and continued toward Goodview and Winona (Winona County). Most of the damage was limited to a few trees and power poles blown down.

Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds during the morning hours of September 2nd across portions of southeast Minnesota. Winds of 60 mph or greater occurred in a swath from southeast Mower County through Fillmore County into Winona and Houston Counties. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in this damage area from Lyle (Mower County) to near Brownsville (Houston County).

Thunderstorms developed across southeast Minnesota during the evening hours of July 27th. These storms created only some minor damages with power lines down in Austin (Mower County).

Strong winds accompanied a cold front moving across southeast Minnesota on November 6. Wind gusts estimated at 50 to 55 mph knocked down trees and power lines near Austin and Brownsdale. Small sheds were also damaged near Brownsdale.

A cold front moved across southeast Minnesota during the late afternoon hours on July 7th. A line of severe thunderstorms accompanied the front, producing hail up to one inch in diameter and knocking down trees and power lines.