Bad Weather Diverts Jets To Rochester

09/20/2007

KTTC NEWS
September 20, 2007



Unable to land in Minneapolis, at least seventeen commercial passenger jets were diverted to the Rochester International Airport Thursday night. Reporter Chris Hrapsky says some passengers were allowed to get off the plane and wait in the terminal. Hrapsky says plans are for passengers to wait out the bad weather and then re-board to complete their trip to the Twin Cities. All of the jets landed safely.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul airport temporarily suspended departures a little before 6 p.m. Travelers were warned to expect significant delays through the evening.

Downtown Minneapolis turned dark as night as the severe thunderstorms moved through the Twin Cities during the evening rush hour. There were numerous reports of funnel clouds being spotted across the metro area and elsewhere, but there were no confirmed tornado touchdowns or any reports of injuries.

More than 17,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power in the Twin Cities, primarily in the west metro area, while around 11,000 Lake Country Power customers in northeastern Minnesota lost power. Large trees were toppled in Litchfield, Willmar, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Isanti, Mora, Pine City, Duluth and parts of the Twin Cities area. Four homes were struck by lighting in Stearns County in central Minnesota.