Storms knock out power to thousands in Bemidji

Thunderstorms swept across northern Minnesota this morning, leaving thousands of people without power and trees down across streets in Bemidji.

Police reported as much as a foot of water in the streets there, and a trained spotter reported 70 MPH winds.

The damage was mostly limited to downed trees, said Christopher Muller, the assistant emergency management director for Beltrami County. But there were other casualties.

"The railroad crossing signals have sustained some damage," he said. "The crossing gates are snapped off and laying to the ground."

He said thousands of people appeared to be without power before sunup this morning, but that city crews had cleared the streets where they were blocked by trees.

"Both Beltrami Electric, Ottertail Power and the communications providers are all out in force right now trying to restore the utilities," he said.

Patrol officers had reported ping-pong ball sized hail during the storm, and another spotter reported hail nearly 2 inches in diameter near Grand Rapids overnight.

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