Minneapolis tornado kills one person, rips up homes. Curfew in effect

By Hart Van Denburg Sun., May 22 2011 at 10:42 PM

Categories: Weather

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Tony Webster

The storm uprooted this massive tree in north Minneapolis.

Parts of of north Minneapolis looked like a war zone by Sunday evening after a tornado touched down inside city limits, killed one person, injured more than 30, damaged about 100 homes, and snapped trees like they were toothpicks. Power is still out in the area.

Heavy damage was also reported in St. Louis Park, Forest Lake, Fridley, the Anoka airport, and other communities around the northwest side of the metro.

WATCH: Slideshow of the damage, courtesy of City Pages readers

Minneapolis police have asked that all non-emergency personnel stay out of the North Side for now, because emergency vehicles were having problems getting through the traffic. A curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been set up in a four-square-mile area affected by the storm: from Penn Avenue North to I-94, and from Dowling Avenue to Plymouth Avenue. It will be in effect for three days.

Mayor R.T. Rybak viewed the mayhem from a helicopter Sunday evening, and echoed the request for gawkers to stay out of the neighborhood so that emergency workers could do their jobs.

DO NOT come to NMpls to gawk at tornado damage. 1st responders can't keep people safe when others are in way. This is important; thank you.Sun May 22 20:43:01 via webMayor R.T. Rybak
MayorRTRybak

Deeply appreciate offers of help 4noMpls. We are assessing and will b back2u when we know more. Help needed tomorrow but, more so, ongoingMon May 23 03:34:57 via Twitter for iPadMayor R.T. Rybak
MayorRTRybak

The city's Department of Health has set up an emergency shelter at the Northeast Armory, 1025 Broadway, and is calling in employees to help with staff through the night and into Monday. More than 100 people are expected there tonight, and Cub Foods has announced it's hosting a dinner for those affected.

Minneapolis public schools in the area will be open, but some other schools have announced closures Monday: Lucy Craft Laney, Cityview, Nellie Stone Johnson, Hmong International Academy, and the Plymouth Youth Center.

Minneapolis residents can call 311 for non-emergency inquiries about the storm's damage, and to report debris. about storm debris.

And if you want to donate money to help with relief efforts, call the Red Cross at (612) 460-3700.

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