Minnesota tornado, flash flood tracker: Mankato, Minneapolis, Albert Lea, Rochester on alert

The alerts, driven by a moist, unstable atmosphere, signal heightened risks of tornadoes and flooding, putting residents on edge amid a volatile storm season, according to the NWS press release. 

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Tornado Warnings

At 4:16 PM CDT, a tornado warning remained active for northeastern Blue Earth and southeastern Le Sueur counties, near Mankato, with a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado moving northeast at 27 knots near Madison Lake, per NWS. 

Radar-indicated rotation threatened Waterville, Elysian, and Sakatah Lake State Park, with risks of flying debris, mobile home destruction, and tree damage. Earlier, a tornado warning for northwestern Freeborn and southwestern Steele counties, including Albert Lea, was canceled by 4:19 PM as the storm weakened, per NWS. 

A separate warning near Albert Lea earlier confirmed a tornado near Hartland, moving northeast at 35 mph. Rochester and surrounding Olmsted County were under a tornado watch until 10 PM, with potential for funnel clouds. 

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Flash Flood Warning

A flash flood warning was issued at 3:51 PM for southeastern Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and parts of Carver and Washington counties, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, until 7:45 PM, per NWS. 

Doppler radar showed thunderstorms dumping 1–2 inches of rain per hour, causing urban flooding in low-lying areas like highways and underpasses. Locations like Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, and Woodbury faced inundated roadways, with 1–3 inches more expected. 

Another flood warning at 3:02 PM targeted Minneapolis and St. Paul, warning of ponding water affecting the evening commute, per NWS. Renville County saw 3–5 inches of rain, triggering a flood warning until 5:45 PM.