Weather Service says damage in Thief River Falls in NW MN was likely from straight-line winds

July 13, 2013 at 2:35AM

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — A line of powerful thunderstorms caused significant damage as it moved through the northwestern Minnesota city of Thief River Falls on Friday evening.

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., says numerous roofs were damaged, a motor home was flipped, and billboards were bent and broken.

The weather service says it appears most of the wind damage happened along a quarter-mile path.

Meteorologist Dave Kellendenz says forecasters are "fairly confident" the storm packed only straight-line winds when it struck around 6 p.m. He says it lasted about 10 minutes.

Some flooding was reported in Thief River Falls as well due to the heavy rains.

A Pennington County dispatcher confirms trees and power lines are down all through the city.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries.

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