In the light of day, more damage is being assessed. Rice County sheriff Troy Dunn reports that 2 witnesses spotted tornadoes in Morristown where 12 homes are uninhabitable, moving on from there barns, pole sheds and more are damaged all over the county. On Roberd’s Lake, boats and lifts are strewn everywhere. The Rice County Highway Department has Rice County Road 11, (Roberds Lake Boulevard) closed from 180th Street West to 172nd Street West. Residents in this area do not have access in or out. Downed power lines in large trees have to be cleared before this road can be re-opened. We
currently do not have an estimated timeline from the utility company. Also, Rice County Rice County Road 8 (130th St. East that travels east and west) and Dundas Blvd, (that travels north and south) are barricaded due to power lines and power poles laying in the roadway. Cannon Falls to Faribault, Dundas and Northfield to Nerstrand sustained major damage. Incredibly there are no serious injuries reported. In Bridgewater Township last night, twin sisters, Rachel and Naomi Meisler were headed home to 124th Court of Co. Rd. 20 when they got caught in the storm. They were traveling down hwy 3 near Menards,when power went out throughout Dundas. Trying to find a place to take shelter, they pulled into the neighborhood, thought they were okay, saw a branch fall, the wind then picked up and a tree fell on their car, then windshield then imploded, then got out the back door and got out safely and headed to a neighbors. After the storm passed, neighbors immediately started coming out and cutting branches to get to the car. The entire neighborhood suffered major tree damage, one home alone lost at least a dozen large trees, some homes reported damage. The Red Barn Farm lost the barn, but their home is okay. Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson suffered heavy damage at his place losing his barn and half his grove. Fargaze Farms, he said, is leveled. Livestock were loose. He called for patience as Xcel works to restore power and crews will be out for some time removing debris. The east side of downtown Northfield was hit much harder than the west side. Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig said there are 5 streets closed right now due to downed powerlines entangled with downed trees. They must wait for Xcel. There’s also still some wind out there, there could be weakened trees that may come down yet, use extreme caution. Martig said the southeast side of Northfield was hit hardest. He added that it’s going to take at least a month to get everything cleared up, they’ll look to outside help. As for formal volunteer efforts, there really aren’t any because of the type of damage. It’s not like flooding, this is something that we’re not used to. Northfield wanting to place a damage report should call 507-663-9483.
School called off for the day after assessment
School was called off for Cannon Falls and Northfield after Superintendent Matt Hillmann was apprised of the extent of blocked roads. At this point, neighbors, volunteers and crews are continuing to clear areas.
In Faribault, the airport suffered significant damage, Cannon Falls was asking people not to travel and Morristown instituted a curfew from 10 last night to 6:30 this morning due to downed powerlines. From Farmington to Faribault, Cannon Falls to Waterville, thousands are without electricity.
Cemetery Stories moved to Museum
Nfld Historical Society’s Cemetery Stories will NOT be held at Northfield Cemetery but they WILL be held at the Museum tomorrow. Ex. Dir. Cathy Osterman is working on a time right now. Please stay tuned!
