Authorities have confirmed a second tornado touched down as storms swept across the Northland on Sunday night.
An aerial survey found "sporadic tornado damage consistent with an EF-0 tornado" along a 9-mile track near Zim in central St. Louis County, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service in Duluth.
EF-0 is the weakest classification on the 0-5 Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds estimated between 65 and 85 mph. The aerial survey found what appeared to be minor roof damage to one structure in the path of the tornado, in an area west of County Highway 7 and south of County Highway 27 (Zim Road).
As reported in Tuesday's News Tribune, the severe storms also spawned an EF-1 tornado near Jacobson and Wawina that caused significant damage to a farm.
A third possible tornado track - across southern Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin counties - remained under investigation on Tuesday, said Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Huyck, and may remain so for several more days as experts pore over aerial photos and other documentation.
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Large hail
Sunday's storms also dropped hail up to the size of softballs, particularly in the Brainerd Lakes area - some of the largest hailstones seen in northern Minnesota in years.
Pequot Lakes Police Chief Eric Klang said he heard of numerous residents in the Pequot Lakes area whose property sustained roof and vehicle damage from the hail.
Greg Seils, owner of Crow Wing Auto Body in Pequot Lakes, said he completed 35 estimates on hail-damaged vehicles Monday and expected the rest of the week to be even busier as people talk with their insurance companies.
"We've never seen it this bad," Seils said. "We're just getting started here on them."
He said he expected to complete in excess of 150 hail claims by the end of the week if the pace keeps up. It isn't just small dents, either - Seils said they've seen numerous broken windshields, back windows and sunroofs along with big dents that could require the replacement of hoods and panels.
And Seils said his business itself also sustained damage, with the metal roofs on pole buildings dented by the hail.
The Brainerd Dispatch contributed to this report.
