Severe Storms Spawn Multiple Tornadoes in Southeast Minnesota

Residents begin cleanup as temporary shelter opens in Rochester after twisters damage trees, power lines, and property.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:10pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a tornado-ravaged countryside shrouded in heavy storm clouds and dramatic backlighting, with any physical structures or trees dwarfed and obscured by the powerful weather.The aftermath of a series of powerful tornadoes that swept through southeast Minnesota, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.Stewartville Today

Several tornadoes touched down in southeast Minnesota on Friday, causing significant damage to trees, power lines, and buildings in the Stewartville and Elgin areas. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office has asked people to avoid certain hard-hit neighborhoods as a temporary shelter was set up in Rochester to assist affected residents.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like this can have a major impact on local communities, disrupting power, damaging homes and businesses, and requiring emergency response and recovery efforts. Understanding the scope of the damage and the community's response is important for assessing the overall impact.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, at least three tornadoes touched down in southeast Minnesota on Friday. One tornado north of Elgin flipped a semi-truck and caused damage to two farmsteads. The storms were also captured on MnDOT traffic cameras while KARE 11 was streaming live. The severe weather is now moving into Wisconsin, where a radar-confirmed tornado was reported just north of Black River Falls.

  • The tornadoes touched down in southeast Minnesota on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The temporary shelter was set up in Rochester following the storm damage.

The players

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that is asking people to avoid certain areas due to the severe storm damage.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that confirmed the multiple tornado touchdowns in the region and is tracking the severe weather as it moves into Wisconsin.

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What they’re saying

“The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is asking people to avoid northeast Stewartville and the area of Marion Road Southeast between 50th Avenue Southeast and 30th Street Southeast due to the severe storm damage.”

— Olmsted County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway in the affected areas, and the National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storms as they move through the region.

The takeaway

This severe weather event highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and community response in the face of natural disasters. The damage caused by the multiple tornadoes serves as a reminder of the potential impact of extreme weather and the need for ongoing efforts to improve resilience and mitigate risks.