Power Outage in Montevideo, MN

Several trees and power lines were blown down near Wegdahl.

Several trees and power lines were blown down around Montevideo.

Power lines and trees were blown down in town.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across a widespread area of Montevideo.

Scattered large limbs down brought down power lines.

Numerous trees and power lines down, mainly in the northern half of town.

A significant bow echo developed near the South Dakota, Minnesota border early Saturday evening, July 16th. This bow echo moved southeast along the Minnesota River Valley and caused significant wind damage around Granite Falls where widespread trees and power lines were blown down. This also included major power lines for Xcel Energy and Great River Energy outside of Granite Falls which caused additional problems. There was damage in the city industrial park, where at least one structure was destroyed and a few others damaged. Officials indicated that the damage to homes seemed moderate, with some trees falling on properties. At the airport, the Fagen Fighters Museum reported three T-hangars and the contents inside destroyed, including at least three planes. There was also a measured wind gust of 60 knots at the Montevideo airport||As this system raced southeast across south central Minnesota, a few more reports of wind damage occurred. However, the storm weakened considerably but torrential rainfall and training thunderstorms led to flooding, especially around St. James. ||There were several wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph across south central Minnesota between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM CST, with a measured wind gust of 53 mph at the Mankato airport at 1035 PM CST.

An intense low pressure system over North Central Iowa during the morning of the 28th, moved to South Central Minnesota by the late afternoon, and then marched to a position over Western Lake Superior by the morning of the 29th. Aided by sustained northerly winds of 26 to 37 knots (30 to 43 mph), with gusts to 47 knots (54 mph), the snow and blowing snow reduced visibilities to near zero across much of Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Stevens, Swift and Yellow Medicine Counties. Snow accumulations were very difficult to measure considering the high winds, with most measurements in the 3 to 6 inch range reported across the region. At or around 07:00 CST on the 28th, ice buildup from a period of freezing rain disabled four substations owned by Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power, located near the South Dakota border in Lac Qui Parle County. Power lines were also severed across portions of Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties during the morning hours after sunrise. Portions of Lac Qui Parle Power (including the city of Madison), and parts of Yellow Medicine County were without power for as little as one hour, and for as long as 24 hours. Thousands of customers were affected. The longest duration of power disruption occurred near the Minnesota/South Dakota border. The Blizzard was also responsible for closing portions of Interstate 94, U.S. 10 and Minnesota 210 during the overnight on the 28th. Numerous automobile and truck accidents were reported across the region. Information on power outgages and road closures provided by Montevideo American News and Owatonna People's Press.