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7 tornadoes struck Minnesota, western Wisconsin on Thursday, NWS says

Videos show tornado that touched down in Wisconsin
Videos show tornado that touched down in Wisconsin 01:28

Seven tornadoes swept through Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Thursday, according to the latest data from the National Weather Service.

The storms developed early Wednesday morning across the South Dakota-Minnesota border and moved west throughout the day. A second round of storms battered south and west central Minnesota on Thursday, causing several tornadoes over the course of the afternoon.

Of the seven tornadoes, four were rated EF-0s, two were EF-1 and one in New Richmond, Wisconsin was rated an EF-2. The New Richmond tornado was on the ground for 4.1 miles, the National Weather Service said. Estimated peak winds reached 120 miles, according to officials.

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An EF-2 tornado touched down near New Richmond, Wisconsin on May 15, 2025. WCCO

The first tornado, which struck Big Bend City, Minnesota around 1 p.m. on Thursday, was on the ground for 4.2 miles, according to officials. Other areas hit included Danvers, Benson and Spring Hill, Minnesota, along with Christie and Loyal, Wisconsin.

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Confirmed tornadoes in western Minnesota on Thursday, May 15. WCCO
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Tornado in Spring Hill, Minnesota. WCCO

There were more than a dozen tornado warnings and multiple observed tornadoes across both states on Thursday. No one was injured.

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