Tornado warnings rocked the Twin Cities metro on June 29, 2025 with sirens blaring and power outages hitting thousands. Severe storms brought multiple tornadoes, heavy rain, and damaging winds to Minnesota.
Storms Unleash Chaos in the Twin Cities
Late Saturday night into early Sunday June 29, 2025 the Twin Cities metro faced a barrage of severe storms, triggering tornado warnings across Carver, Scott, and Hennepin counties. Sirens wailed in Minneapolis, Shakopee, and Minnetonka as the National Weather Service reported five Doppler-confirmed tornadoes in Carver County, including two near Waconia, one in Victoria, one near Cologne, and one in St. Bonifacius.
Our team was up late checking phone when alerts popped off—neighbors were posting about trees down near Highway 7, and the siren sound gave me chills. Xcel Energy reported over 2,500 customers without power in the metro by 1AM.
Tornadoes and Damage Reports
The storms, packing 60+ mph winds, caused significant damage. In Waconia, a tornado moved east at 30-35 mph, toppling trees and blocking roads. Two tornadoes were also spotted near Canby in western Minnesota earlier Saturday evening.
Heavy rain raised flash flooding risks, especially as storms stalled over the metro, dumping inches of water. A friend in St. Paul texted about his car stuck in flooded streets near Woodbury—it’s a mess out there. The National Weather Service is assessing damage to confirm the tornado count, but social media is buzzing with videos of dark, swirling clouds and debris.
Why This Storm Was So Intense
A potent mesoscale convective system fueled the chaos, with meteorologists like Paul Huttner noting strong rotation and wind gusts capable of snapping trees. The storms hit hardest southwest of the metro, with multiple areas of rotation spawning tornadoes.
By 1 AM the core metro’s tornado threat eased, but heavy rain and winds persisted, raising concerns about flooding along Interstate 35. I’ve seen summer storms before, but the lightning lighting up downtown Minneapolis last night felt like a scene from a movie.
Safety Tips for Ongoing Threats
With more storms possible Sunday, June 30, 2025, stay prepared. Seek shelter in a basement or interior room without windows if sirens sound. Charge devices and keep a weather radio handy, as power outages may linger. Clear debris from drains to avoid flooding—my neighbor learned this the hard way when his basement flooded last year.
The NWS advises having multiple alert sources, like phone apps or NOAA Weather Radio, especially overnight when tornadoes are harder to spot. Check Xcel Energy’s outage map for power restoration updates.