Multiple Tornadoes Confirmed as Severe Storms Slam Minnesota
A dangerous line of severe storms swept across Minnesota overnight, spawning multiple tornadoes, triggering widespread tornado sirens in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, and knocking out power for tens of thousands.
Residents were jolted awake early Sunday morning by emergency alerts urging them to take immediate cover as the violent weather system rolled through, leaving a trail of damage and uncertainty.
The Full Story
The severe weather outbreak began Saturday evening in western Minnesota and intensified as it tracked eastward overnight. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of increasingly urgent warnings as storms showed signs of rotation. By the time the system reached the densely populated Twin Cities, it was a full-blown emergency.
Around 12:30 a.m. CDT Sunday, tornado sirens blared across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs. The NWS confirmed multiple tornadoes via Doppler radar and received numerous reports from storm spotters of funnel clouds and touchdowns, particularly in Carver County, just west of the metro.
The threat was not limited to tornadoes. The storm system also packed damaging straight-line winds exceeding 60 mph and torrential rain, leading to flash flood warnings.
Key Facts & Numbers
- Power Outages: Xcel Energy reported over 44,000 customers were without power in its Minnesota service area as of 1 a.m. CDT.
- Tornado Reports: At least 5 Doppler-confirmed tornadoes were reported in Carver County. Two separate tornadoes were observed near Canby.
- Damaging Winds: Wind gusts exceeded 60 mph in the Twin Cities metro area.
- Affected Areas: Tornado warnings were issued for Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Shakopee, Bloomington, and Burnsville.
Visuals From the Storm
Observed Tornado in Waconia
An observed tornado over Waconia was tracked moving east at 30-35 mph. (Video: FOX 9)
Tornado Warning continues for Waconia MN, Victoria MN, Saint Bonifacius MN until 12:45 AM CDT. This is a particularly dangerous situation. Take cover now! pic.twitter.com/fQkxoG8YtF
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) June 29, 2025
Timeline of Events (CDT)
Sat. 6:45 PM
A Tornado Watch is issued for much of central Minnesota as storms fire up in the western part of the state.
Sat. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Multiple tornadoes are observed on the ground near Canby, MN. Tornado warnings are issued for several western counties.
Sun. 12:15 AM
An observed tornado is reported in the Cologne area of Carver County. Radar picks up a debris signature south of Waconia, a strong indication of a tornado causing damage.
Sun. 12:30 AM
Tornado sirens activate across the Twin Cities metro as a tornado warning is issued for Minneapolis and numerous suburbs.
Sun. 1:00 AM
The tornado warning for the immediate metro area expires, but a severe thunderstorm warning remains. Xcel Energy reports 44,000 customers have lost power.
National Impact
Economic Impact
The immediate economic impact includes the cost of restoring power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses and repairing property damage. Reports of downed trees blocking major roads like Highway 7 near Victoria highlight disruptions to local commerce and transportation. The National Weather Service will conduct damage surveys to assess the tornadoes' strength and the full financial toll.
Social Impact
For residents in a major American metropolitan area, the overnight warnings serve as a jarring reminder of the vulnerability to severe weather. The widespread nature of the alerts, from rural western counties to the heart of the Twin Cities, underscores the broad reach of this storm system and the importance of having a severe weather safety plan.
The Bottom Line
A potent storm system delivered a dangerous night of severe weather to Minnesota, demonstrating that destructive tornadoes and widespread disruptions can strike major US cities with little warning. The focus now shifts to assessing the damage, restoring power, and preparing for the potential of more unsettled weather in the week ahead.
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