Rice County hit by storms but avoids major losses

While other communities suffered much more significant damage in storms that moved across the Midwest on Tuesday, May 21, Rice County had some wind damage and buildings were struck by lightning.

“We had a few trees down blocking roads and several manhole covers that needed to be put back in place due to the heavy rain,” said Faribault Police Chief John Sherwin. “The only damage I heard of was a tree fell on an unoccupied vehicle in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue SW. Also a few calls about flooded intersections, but water quickly receded once the heaviest rain was over. There were no issues with stalled vehicles.”

One downed tree limb blocked the road on Third Avenue NW but was cleared by Wednesday morning.

A video posted on social media showed lightning strike the steeple of The River Church in Faribault. Pastor Tony Crombie said no one was hurt and the damage appears to be minor.

“There are a few minor electrical issues that we are still inspecting and looking into, however the vast majority of the building is fine. Thank you, Lord,” he said Wednesday.

A residence in Northfield also was struck by lightning, according to Rice County dispatch transmissions.

A tornado warning was issued during the storm but was cancelled 15 minutes early once the storm had passed. Brian Klier, the social media manager for Rice County Skywarn, reported rotation just east of Morristown on Highway 60, but no tornado was ever confirmed.

Pea-size hail east of Northfield was reported by Skywarn storm spotter Katie Tutewohl.