Written by
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS - The National Weather Service has concluded that the tornado that struck north Minneapolis on Sunday was a strong EF1 or EF2.
The tornado was on the ground for six-and-a-quarter miles in Hennepin County plus an additional eight miles across Anoka and Ramsey counties.
The weather service says some of the field information still needs to be processed. But the service says it's safe to say the twister will be rated as either a strong EF1 or possibly an EF2.
An EF1 tornado has speeds of up to 109 mph. An EF2 has speeds of 110-137 mph.
One man was killed in the tornado when a large branch apparently came through a window into his minivan. A second man collapsed and died after using a chain saw to help clear a tree from a blocked roadway.
In a written statement, the city of Minneapolis said that some residents from the hardest hit neighborhoods were being allowed back to their homes Monday evening. Crews and inspectors assessed properties and cleared debris to ensure conditions were safe for people to return. Only residents were being allowed back in.
Shelters have been set up at the Northeast Armory and the Drake Hotel. The Armory was prepared to accommodate 200 people. The city said that more than two dozen families with children have moved from the Armory to the Drake Hotel Downtown Minneapolis. Additional housing arrangements will be made for others on Tuesday.
North High School will serve as a meal center for families affected by the tornado on Tuesday. Bag lunches and water provided by Minneapolis Public Schools Nutrition Services will be available at the school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis will offer a one-day Project Connect: Tornado Assistance Center for families affected by Sunday's storms. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Services will be geared to residents impacted by the storm and will include housing and shelter resources, basic health care, mental health care, and legal assistance.
Bus transportation to Project Connect will be provided with trips every half hour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from three locations: The Family Assistance Center at 1025 Broadway St. NE; NorthPoint Health and Wellness (formerly Pilot City) at 1315 Penn Ave. N.; and Cub Foods at 701 W. Broadway.
The city of Minneapolis and the Park Board are offering a tree debris pickup service for property owners whose trees were downed by the north Minneapolis tornado.
Crews will collect tree debris that can be brought to the boulevard starting Wednesday and continuing through June 10. That's for properties affected by the tornado in Minneapolis west of Interstate 94 and north of Highway 55. The city will pick up and dispose of larger limbs, branches and trunks at no charge.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)