Storms, Hail, and Tornado Threats Put Parts of the U.S. on High Alert -

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29 April Tornado: Severe weather swept through several U.S. cities on Monday, with heavy storms, lightning, and hail. The National Weather Service put out an urgent tornado warning in effect until Tuesday night, cautioning residents in the affected areas to be on high alert.

In the Upper Midwest, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, as well as the Minneapolis area, forecasters had predicted not only one, but two rounds of storms: the first by afternoon and a second, more dangerous, in the evening. The Storm Prediction Center experts in Norman, Oklahoma, indicated that the evening storm might be especially vicious, with a possibility of strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds.

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The Minneapolis Weather Office warned that the area would see strong tornadoes, potentially at EF-2 or stronger. A tornado was said to have been seen on Monday afternoon near Fairmont, Minnesota. There were no reported damages immediately, though, and it was not certain that the tornado had struck.

The storm threat stretched as far south as Texas and Oklahoma, though forecasters indicated the danger in those states was slightly less. Minneapolis authorities told residents to remain vigilant, lock up outdoor items, and have multiple means of receiving weather information. Individuals were also encouraged to have emergency supplies on hand and charge phones and flashlights.

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Earlier Monday morning, the initial storm clouded the Minneapolis skies, producing heavy rain for a brief time but issuing no significant warnings then. Officials emphasized that the greater danger would be later in the day. By 2 p.m., the city had shut down several public service offices and opened its emergency operations center.

Besides Minneapolis, the storm saw Saint Paul, Bloomington, and other sections of Minnesota impacted by big hail. Tornado watches were proclaimed in southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin, all of which came into effect till Tuesday evening. Some school boards in Iowa shut down classes as well as afternoon activities owing to the bad weather forecast.

At the same time, in Nebraska, a tornado capsized a freight train on Sunday night in the state’s northwest area. Initial reports stated that the tornado, which was more than a mile wide, derailed and overturned several cars of a 130-car train. There were no reported injuries, and the locomotive stayed upright. This was only one of many tornadoes reported in Nebraska that night.