Storm causes havoc in Douglas, Pope counties

• Storm

Dorothy and Harvey Thurston's shed blew over in the high winds near Lake Mary about 7 a.m. Monday. Their deck was ripped from their home and numerous large trees fell over.
• Storm

Power and telephone lines were toppled as trees knocked them over near Lake Mary.

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A thunderstorm with strong winds and heavy rain rumbled through Douglas County this morning.

Hail and extensive tree damage was reported in Pope County near Glenwood and Lowry.

Damaging winds knocked down trees and power lines in Douglas County in the Alexandria area. A wind gust of 68 miles per hour was reported at 7:22 a.m. this morning, according to KSAX meteorologist Mark Anthony. Wind damage was also reported in the Evansville and Brandon areas in Douglas County.

Heavy rainfall also was a problem across a good share of central and west central Minnesota, Anthony added. Three to four inches of rain was reported in many locations.

The stormy weather is expected to be followed by intense heat with the heat index rising in excess of 100 degrees this afternoon. As a result, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for a good share of the state through Monday night.

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