Canyon, MN – A tornado was confirmed near Canyon and Cotton, Minnesota, on Wednesday. The National Weather Service rated it as an EF-1, with peak winds of 105 mph. The tornado touched down between 5:05 p.m. and 5:18 p.m. and traveled 5.9 miles. Its maximum width reached 200 yards.
According to the NWS, the storm caused no injuries or deaths, but strong winds snapped trees and caused localized damage. The tornado was the only confirmed tornado during a period of intense storms across the region. NWS officials credited St. Louis and Carlton County emergency services for their prompt response and assistance in surveying the damage.
The NWS urged residents to continue submitting pictures and videos of the damage to aid in the ongoing survey. Weather officials also noted that the classification could change as they gather more data.
The tornado was spotted near Lake Elora before sweeping through rural parts of St. Louis County. Fortunately, the storm spared populated areas. Local authorities are encouraging residents to stay prepared for potential future weather alerts.
