Monday tornadoes were the earliest in Minnesota's history
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Updated: 5:45 p.m. | Posted: 3:01 p.m.
Two tornadoes that touched down in Minnesota Monday night were the earliest on record in the state — the previous earliest was March 18, 1968.
Both twisters were rated by the National Weather Service as EF - 1, meaning they had winds of 100 to 110 miles per hour. Both tornadoes, one in southern and another in central Minnesota, hit about the same time, around 5:30 p.m.
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The twister that touched down near Zimmerman, Minn., damaged homes, trees and power lines. The National Weather Service says it was on the ground for 9 miles.
A tornado that caused damage to a grain elevator in Clarks Grove, Minn. skimmed the ground for 12.5 miles.
No injuries were reported with either storm.
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Meteorologist Tom Hultquist says the wild weather was caused by a storm system that brought very strong winds from the south.
"So we were able to tap into warm temperatures and moisture and bring that north to Minnesota at a time of year that doesn't typically happen," Hultquist said.
The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office says numerous roads are closed around Zimmerman and Orrock, Minn., to allow crews to clean up debris from houses and downed trees. Non-residents are urged to avoid the area. No one was injured.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce advises Minnesotans who have storm damage to file insurance claims as soon as possible.
