Even though the storm has not yet reached completion there have been significant damages throughout northern Minnesota. One of hardest hit areas is Duluth as Mayor Don Ness described how “much of Duluth is spread along a steep rocky hillside overlooking Lake Superior so the water speeds downhill, carrying debris with it”. Even though total figures are not yet known and won’t be known until days or even weeks after the storm ends the damage has affected everyone and everything in this region.
Property Damages
The true extent of property damages will not be known until after the storm has finished passing. However it is clear from images provided that the damage has been all encompassing. Houses with trees on them due to high winds, city businesses flooded, houses flooded, and may other saddening images have been released all of which convey the immense amount of damage that has occurred. The only people who will be benefiting from all this are flood cleaning agencies but even their homes are sure to be damaged by the storm. From what has occurred so far the amount of damage has proven to be enormous and further damage is sure to ensue throughout the rest of the day today.
Damage to the Crops
In addition to the all the damages that houses and buildings are sustaining as a result of this storm the agricultural sector of northern Minnesota and much of the heartland is taking a beating as well. Prior to this storm there had been an excess of rainfall and many of the crops were already inundated with more water than they could handle. This additional rainfall that is expected to reach 15 inches in some areas could completely wipeout crops in those areas. This overabundance of rain coupled with the wind gusts that are expected to reach up to 40 to 50 miles per hour could spell disaster for many of the farmers not only in northern Minnesota but throughout the heartland region. More so than the property damages this could be the biggest takeaway from the storm as a crop shortage may spell doom for many of the already cash strapped farmers.
Power Outages
In addition to all the other damage that has occurred high winds have caused many power lines to go down and have created outages in many cities throughout Minnesota. Many residents will have to go without power at least until tomorrow morning when the storm will have passed repair crews will be able to get to work fixing these power lines.
