Tornado, storms cause heavy damage in Midwest
MINNEAPOLIS — Powerful winds slammed parts of four Midwestern states Wednesday, leaving behind shattered windows, toppled power lines and a handful of injuries. At least a half-dozen suspected tornadoes were reported.
The National Weather Service received reports of a possible tornado near downtown Minneapolis, where winds tore off part of a 90-year-old metal church steeple. Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois also were hit, though the only confirmed tornado as of Wednesday night was in Hastings, about 30 miles southeast of Minneapolis, where a 100-yard-long swath of trees was flattened.
A possible tornado also was spotted about in Emerald, Wis., about 60 miles east of the Minneapolis.
The National Weather Service reported tornadoes might have touched down near Manchester in west-central Illinois and in Loami, southwest of Springfield. Trees and power lines were down.
Six people were being treated at Springfield hospitals for storm-related injuries. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, hospital personnel said.
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