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Storm Brings High Winds, Damage To Bemidji
A powerful, fast moving thunderstorm that fired up late Monday afternoon hit the Bemidji, Minn. area about 7 p.m., cutting a wide swath of damage, downing trees and leaving much of the Bemidji area without power and phone service.
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A powerful, fast moving thunderstorm that fired up late Monday afternoon hit the Bemidji, Minn. area about 7 p.m., cutting a wide swath of damage, downing trees and leaving much of the Bemidji area without power and phone service.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Kaiser in Grand Forks said the storm packed winds of 70 to 80 mph and although unconfirmed, possibly some weak tornadoes.
"When temperatures get that warm and there's that much moisture available, just need a little bit of energy in the upper levels to kick these things off," said Kaiser. "They're fueled by all that moisture and that heat. It doesn't look like that's over, we're going to have moisture and heat here for much of the week. If timing occurs with these pieces of energy aloft, then we could see another round of this stuff."
Property damage was reported throughout the area.
Residents in the Bemidji, Minn. area are facing a massive clean up job following a thunderstorm that packed wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph. There is plenty of property damage.
City Manager John Chattin said Diamond Point Park along Lake Bemidji took a major hit.
"If you love Bemidji, you're going to cry when you go to Diamond Point Park," said Chattin. "The whole north side, all the pines are down. The rest of the park, there's massive loss of trees, partial destruction of one of the pavilions. It's just going to take a long time to bring that back."
Over $3.5 million in park improvements were completed five years ago.
Parks and Recreation Foreman Greg Strandlund said trees are down everywhere.
Funnel clouds were spotted southwest of Bemidji, but there is been no confirmation of a tornado.
Don Haney/Paul Jurgens/Kelly Stone
