FORADA, Minn. — The National Weather Service confirmed Tuesday that a tornado hit the small lakeside town of Forada, Minnesota during a bout of severe storms on Monday, May 30.
NWS crews confirmed EF-2 damage in Forada after winds of up to 120 mph hit the area. The survey team also found evidence of multiple vortexes and a path width of at least a half mile. Officials also confirmed EF-1 tornado damage in Eagle Bend and Plato.
Monday night, Forada Fire Chief Stephen VanLuik escorted a KARE 11 crew to see the storm's aftermath. About 100 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.
The next morning, speaking with KARE 11 reporter Cece Gains, VanLuik said his team did a house to house search to make sure everyone in the community was OK.
"I know it's devastating to look at, but we're glad that no deaths that we know of [were reported], or any major injuries," VanLuik said.
WATCH BELOW: Aerial video reveals extent of the damage along Maple Lake in Forada
Tuesday morning, the widespread damage was more visible as community members started the process of cleaning up their homes. Photos and videos revealed downed trees and power lines. The roofs of several homes were completely ripped off. Other structures were nearly leveled by the storm.
"It's going to be a long, drawn out" process to recover from the damage, VanLuik said. "It's going to be a day by day thing."
This tornado is second twister to impact the area in about 17 days. The first was a confirmed tornado that touched down in Alexandria on May 13.
Slightly farther northeast in Cass County, officials are estimating at least $120,000 worth of damage, saying the most extensive damage occurred in Poplar and Byron Townships. The NWS is still inspecting the area to determine whether the damage was caused by a tornado.
Western Minnesota storm damage storms on May 30, 2022
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