Iran Press/America: In the wake of the system that brought 80 mph wind gusts and a deluge of precipitation, there are reports of downed trees across the metro, some of which have fallen on houses, vehicles, and power lines, as well as major flooding on roads.
At one point, Xcel Energy was reporting that 75,000 households were without power in Minnesota. While some of these have had power restored, there remained 40,000 homes as of 6:30 a.m. that haven't.
One person died near Blomkest, Minnesota, south of Willmar. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to a home at about 7 p.m. Thursday "about a missing adult male in the area of where a large grain bin had just blown over by storms."
"Emergency responders arrived and began a search which eventually led to the discovery of the deceased man under the collapsed grain bin," the sheriff's office reported in a news release. Authorities later identified him as 63-year-old Ryan Erickson from rural Lake Lillian, Minn.
One person was reported dead in Sioux Falls, S.D., as storms moved through that area. And the Associated Press reported that a 61-year-old woman died from injuries after a chunk of wood broke through the window of the vehicle she was riding in, as storms kicked up dust and debris northwest of Sioux Falls.
There were also reports of people who were critically injured as the storms moved through South Dakota.
More than 70,000 homes and businesses remained without power across the region early Friday as damage assessment and cleanup continued after the second straight night of widespread severe weather.
The National Weather Service office in the Twin Cities said it was sending two survey teams to western Minnesota to assess the damage — including whether any of it may have been caused by tornadoes.
At one point, Xcel Energy was reporting that 75,000 households were without power in Minnesota. While some of these have had power restored, there remained 40,000 homes as of 6:30 a.m. Thursday that haven't.
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