A strong thunderstorm rumbled through parts of central Minnesota early Wednesday morning, knocking down trees and causing severe damage to properties. Steve Doran at the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. reports they had three, low-level reports of damage in the county. Two trees were reported downed in the Zimmerman area and a power line downed in Clear Lake.

 

In Becker, the BPD reported some trees downed at city hall and all about the trailer park along Sherburne Ave., including a tree on top of a vehicle. Half a mile away along Bank Street, a section of the roof of Hubbard Electric was laying all mangled up on the lawn of the Becker Fire Dept.

 

A blue kiddie pool ended up in the front yard of a resident along Martin Drive and Diane Ave.

 

The thunderstorm warning was most likely not heard by many citizens in the area due to the fact the storms rolled through during the nighttime hours. 

 

The National Weather Service reported the storm came in from the northwest, bringing with it straight line winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. It is considered the strongest storm of the season so far, knocking down several trees and damaging fences, roofs and other structures as it slowly rolled through the area.

 

Four miles south of Forest Lake, the overnight storms were consistent with an EF-1 tornado.

 

After a cool 70 degrees Thursday in the area, the mercury will soar near 90 degrees Saturday and again on Monday and Tuesday of next week.