Thousands Around Mendota Lose Power During Late-Season Thunderstorm

A Saturday evening thunderstorm knocked down trees and left thousands in Dakota County without power.

Kare 11 has more:

As of 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Xcel Energy reported more than 2,000 customers without electricity, most of those in the east metro.  At the height of the storm, more than 7,000 customers lost power.

The National Weather Service reported a 70 mph wind gust in St. Paul around 11:15 p.m.  There are also reports of large trees down and dumpsters in the street near the St. Paul Downtown Airport.

Trees were also reported down in the Dakota County area including Apple Valley, Eagan, West St. Paul and Mendota Heights. 

At noon on Sunday, more than 1,000 people were still without power in Mendota Heights and West St. Paul.