WASECA, Minn – Thunderstorms brought tree damage and power outages to the Waseca and Waterville areas Thursday afternoon.
The University of Minnesota's Southern Research and Outreach Center was hardest hit with several large trees downed. Winds even shattered several car windows at the U's research facility.
At one point, Xcel Energy reported more than 700 people without power after the storm downed power lines.
Mostly, the winds took down old large trees. No one was hurt. A large tree downed outside an apartment building had residents bringing out chainsaws for clean up.
"We was sitting in the living room and all of the sudden it started pouring and raining and gusting and wind came up, and all of sudden trees fell down. Just a big boom. Right now, we are using it for firewood and we got a enough wood for a burn for awhile," said Beauvais.
Xcel Energy said it would work to restore power overnight.
