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Worthington, Minn.

July 6, 2011 5:33 PM

Thunderstorm damages wind turbines in Lincoln County

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Storm damages wind turbines — Severe thunderstorm damaged at least six wind turbines in Lincoln County, July 1, 2011.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln County's Emergency Management Office

Friday's severe thunderstorm damaged at least six wind turbines in Lincoln County.

The storm produced strong winds, hail and a small tornado in the southwest region of Minnesota

The storm damaged wind turbines near the town of Lake Benton. said Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Jeanna Sommers. She says one machine appears a total loss.

"One-third of the top of it is bent down," Sommers said. "Blades are completely off of it."

Sommers says the storm damaged other nearby turbines as well. Some are missing blades. On others, strong winds tore from the top of the tower the hood that protects the turbine and electronic equipment housed inside.

The same storm also damaged farms and power lines. It also produced a tornado which caused at least minor damage for two-thirds of the houses in the town of Tyler. The county board is asking for a federal disaster declaration to help them deal with the storm damage.

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Storm damages wind turbines — Severe thunderstorm damaged at least six wind turbines in Lincoln County, July 1, 2011.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln County's Emergency Management Office

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Storm damages wind turbines — Severe thunderstorm damaged at least six wind turbines in Lincoln County, July 1, 2011. On this turbine, winds tore off blades, and the hood atop the tower that protects the turbine and electronic equipment housed inside.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln County's Emergency Management Office

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