'Large and extremely dangerous tornado' tears through Minnesota leaving widespread damage

Damage reports continue to come in from east-central Minnesota after multiple tornadoes were reported

Fast-moving thunderstorms churned out at least two powerful tornadoes Monday in eastern Minnesota as early damage reports began to come in, revealing the extent of the destruction.

A robust severe weather system began moving across the Northern Plains on Monday afternoon, with about 1 million people under the first Tornado Watch of the day for northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota. 

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As the line of storms shifted northeast, forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Tornado Watch across Minnesota and eastern South Dakota. The storm brought widespread wind gusts and large hail across the region. A 90-mph gust was recorded at Appleton Airport. 

The NWS issued rolling Tornado Warnings across multiple areas in South Dakota and Minnesota beginning Monday afternoon.

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The small town of Forada, south of Alexandria in Douglas County, received a direct hit by a likely tornado.

According to the National Weather Service office in the Twin Cities, the tornado was reported on the ground at 4:45 p.m. CDT.

The sighting prompted the NWS to issue a Tornado Warning for Douglas and Todd counties, declaring "a large and extremely dangerous tornado" was moving northeast at 60 mph. 

Aerial video by Severe Studios revealed the extent of the damage left behind by the string of severe storms. One view showed a small SUV inside the remanent of a home in Forada with widespread debris surrounding the scene.

Douglas County Emergency Manager Julie Anderson told FOX 9 Minneapolis that the damages are "significant," and rescue crews struggled to get to the area because of downed power lines. 

Anderson said Tuesday morning there were still no deaths or major injuries reported. About 100 homes and barns in the area were damaged.

A farm was damaged in Milan, Minnesota by a potential tornado, images by Janelle Streed show. 

Prior to the potential touchdown in Forada, storm chaser Jason Bednar spotted a potentially rain-wrapped tornado near Artichoke, Minnesota, which is about an hour southwest of Alexandria. 

The possible tornado could be seen in Bednar's video moving across open land. 

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Damage was also reported near Alexandria on Maple Lake. 

On Monday evening, no injuries had been reported yet. NWS teams will still have to survey the storm damage to confirm the path and strength of each twister.

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Video of a hail storm was recorded in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before the severe weather threat shifted across the state line into Minnesota.

People who live in these regions should stay updated on the latest weather forecast. Download the FOX Weather app to get the forecast for your area and any weather alerts that are issued for your location.

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