A devastating ice and snowstorm that hit southwestern Minnesota last week damaged or destroyed so many trees in the city of Worthington that the community will never look the same, Mayor Alan Oberloh said.
"Generally, if a tornado hits a town, it hits one area hardest," Oberloh said. "But in this situation, the ice hit everywhere. It just makes you sick to your stomach."
The storm, which hit late Tuesday and was followed by 7 inches of fresh snow, caused $4 million to $5 million in damage to trees alone, the mayor said. That estimate doesn't include losses associated with damaged property or power lines in the city of 12,000 people.
"It looks like somebody just reached in and pulled the tops of the trees off and threw them on the ground," Oberloh said.
A citywide cleanup will begin Tuesday and continue for three months. City officials are asking residents to stack debris in front of their homes so that work crews can collect and remove it.
Richard Meryhew
@DatelineMN
