Severe Storm Damage Reported in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Residents begin cleanup after tornado, hail, and high winds hit the region on Friday

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:27pm

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A vast, majestic landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a sweeping view of a storm-ravaged countryside. Damaged homes and debris are barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the powerful, turbulent weather conditions that dominate the scene.The aftermath of a powerful storm system that ripped through Olmsted County, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and underscoring the growing threat of climate change-fueled natural disasters.Stewartville Today

Authorities in southeast Minnesota say disaster recovery efforts are underway on Saturday after severe storms, including at least one tornado, touched down in the area on Friday. Widespread damage was reported in Olmsted County, with homes in the Rochester and Stewartville areas sustaining significant damage such as rooftops blown off and debris scattered across properties. No injuries have been reported so far.

Why it matters

The severe storm system that hit Olmsted County is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have impacted the region in recent years, highlighting the growing threat of climate change-fueled natural disasters. The recovery process will be a major undertaking for local authorities and residents as they work to repair homes and infrastructure.

The details

Photos and video showed what appeared to be at least one tornado and large amounts of hail that caused widespread damage in different parts of southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office reported that disaster recovery efforts are continuing at full speed, with a section of Marion Road southeast in Marion Township closed for utility recovery work. Residents have been asked to complete a preliminary damage assessment form if they experienced property damage.

  • The severe storms struck the region on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • Disaster recovery efforts are ongoing as of Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency coordinating disaster recovery efforts in the aftermath of the severe storms.

Beth Kloss

A Stewartville resident who took shelter with her 2-year-old child as the tornado struck, describing the experience of windows breaking and glass flying through her home.

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What they’re saying

“Tornado disaster recovery continues to occur at full speed. Please share on your channels and social media sites the link and email for disaster recovery and damage assessments below.”

— Olmsted County Sheriff's Office

“Just all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was the biggest wind gust I've ever experienced in my life, and I started feeling like a current of wind going through our house and heard glass breaking.”

— Beth Kloss, Stewartville Resident

What’s next

Residents in Olmsted County are encouraged to complete a preliminary damage assessment form to aid in the recovery efforts, which can be submitted online or via email to the sheriff's office.

The takeaway

The severe storm damage in Olmsted County serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. As communities work to recover, it will be crucial for local authorities and residents to collaborate on resilience efforts that can help mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.