Posted at: 06/17/2009 10:44 PM
Updated at: 06/19/2009 2:50 PM
By: Brandon McElwain

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Latest on the Tornado Aftermath

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) - The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado hit Austin in southern Minnesota on Wednesday.

Officials surveyed the damage on Thursday, and said one tornado on the north side of town was about 10 miles long and lasted for more than 20 minutes. The weather service says that at its worst point, the twister registered an EF2, meaning it generated winds between 111 mph and 135 mph.

The tornado caused heavy destruction. Vehicles were thrown about, homes were heavily damaged and power lines were knocked down. A few minor injuries were reported.

Central Minnesota also saw storms Thursday evening, complete with hail, lightning and some instances of strong winds. High winds in northwestern Minnesota flipped over a couple of semi-trailer trucks on Interstate 94, but there were no injuries.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Click here to see a map of the path of the tornado that hit Austin.

If you need help with clean-up, home assistance, or a welfare check, you can call the Mower County Red Cross at 507-437-4589.

If you would like to volunteer or to make a donation, please call the Mower County United Way at 507-437-2313.

The following are reports from trained storm spotters and/or local law enforcement:

(Austin Area)

7:26pm Funnel clouds in Charles City, IA.

7:33pm Funnel cloud in Blooming Prairie.

7:54pm Tornado in Blooming Prairie.

8:08pm Tornado on ground in north Austin with debris.

8:10pm Large amount of damage in north Austin.  Minor injuries reported.

8:25pm Tornado in Nashua, IA.

8:44pm Funnel cloud in Adams.

(Albert Lea Area)

7:05pm Funnel cloud near Geneva.

7:25pm Funnel cloud near Geneva.

7:30pm Tornado in Geneva, trees damaged east side of Geneva.

7:42pm Funnel cloud Waterville

7:59pm Funnel cloud Waseca.

8:03 Tornado in Waseca.

8:14pm Tornado in Morristown.