Updated: 11/13/2012 11:07 PM
Created: 11/13/2012 7:10 PM KSTC45.com | Print Story | Email
By: Scott Theisen

NWS Confirms EF-0 Tornado in Mendota Heights

The National Weather Service has confirmed a third tornado hit northern Dakota County Saturday night.

The weather service says a brief EF-0 tornado developed just after 11 p.m. southeast of Highway 13 and Wachtler Avenue in northern Mendota Heights. The tornado packed winds estimated at 75 miles per hour.

The tornado tracked northeast for about a half-mile across a subdivision, knocking down several dozen large trees and branches, the weather service says. Some of the fallen trees and branches landed on homes, vehicles and sheds.

After the tornado dissipated, widespread down burst damage was seen from the northeast corner of Mendota Heights into West St. Paul and beyond, the weather service says.

The weather service previously confirmed two tornadoes touched down - one near the intersection of County Road 5 and McAndrews Road in Burnsville and the other near Skyline Drive east of Highway 13 in Eagan.