Weather Service Confirms Seven Tornadoes Touched Down In Minnesota

The National Weather Service says the tornado that caused major damage in the southern Minnesota community of Hartland on Wednesday night was an EF-2, with estimated peak wind speeds of 115 mph.

In updates posted Friday, the Weather Service said the Hartland tornado was one of at least seven to touch down in the state Wednesday — the first tornadoes recorded in Minnesota in the month of December.

While there were no reports of injuries or deaths from the seven confirmed tornadoes, a man was killed by a falling tree as severe storms moved through the Rochester area on Wednesday night.

And utility crews continued working Friday to restore power to several thousand homes and businesses.