PHOTO / KVRR
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KFGO/KVRR) — On Tuesday morning, Becker County Sheriff’s Deputies were blocking the roads down to the Oakland Beach area of Floyd Lake. What was reported was extensive damage to homes, buildings, and trees.
“We didn’t know what to expect. When you drive down, for example, by Oakland Beach, and you see roofs off houses and buildings tipped over. Honestly, people just standing there in awe, not really knowing what had just happened it’s very emotional,” said Todd Glander, Becker County Sheriff.
A tornado tore through the area at around 7:30 p.m. Monday. A funnel cloud was first spotted north of Lake Park. And shortly after, strong winds, rain, and hail came through the area. Two people were transported to Essentia- St. Mary’s Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. And another transported themselves.
“We pulled into the driveway right before the bad winds started, I would say. When we pulled in, we got out of the car, and there were just deck boxes flying everywhere, pieces, tree branches were hitting us. I would say little pea rocks were hitting us, too. The wind was just insane, the trees were bent sideways,” said Sydney Cossette.
Cossette lives on the opposite side of Oakland Beach. And on Monday, she was just coming back home with her mom. But as they tried to enter the house, they realized the power was out, and they could not go in.
“We couldn’t get our garage doors open, and the doors wouldn’t open. So, we just rode it out in the car, and luckily the garage kind of sheltered us so it wasn’t as bad,” said Cossette.
A resident down the road from Cossette was at home during the storm and said he watched the storm pass through.
“I probably should’ve moved somewhere, but I was inside my house. And just kind of watched it. Watched the trees whip,” said Grant Burkel.
While roadways were blocked off to non-residents, cleanup crews offered assistance to many who were in need.
“It sure wasn’t the greatest to see, but I’m just fortunate it was just tree damage and no house damage like a lot of people on this lake,” said Burkel.
Roads leading into areas affected by the tornado will remain closed until further notice.
National Weather Service has declared the tornado an EF 2.
Residents who need shelter are being directed to M State. And for more information, contact the Emergency Operations Center at 218-850-7354.
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