Early-morning storm leaves a mess for Hastings to clean up

• Hastings storm damage

Hastings storm damage

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HASTINGS - A storm tore through Hastings, Minn., early Tuesday morning, knocking down hundreds of trees in the city. The storm hit just after 4 a. m.

The storm knocked down several trees in and led to power outages across the city. According to Xcel Energy, nearly 3,000 customers in Hastings were without power as of 9 a.m. Dakota Electric reported as many as 10,000 customers were without power earlier this morning, but reduced that number to about 3,000 by 9:30 a.m.

Cub Foods in Hastings announced this morning it is providing free 20 pound bags of ice to residents in the wake of last night's storm and will provide the ice as long as supplies last.

City crews were at work this morning clearing trees from roads.

"Our priority right now is getting roads opened, so we've mobilized everyone," said Public Works Director Tom Montgomery.

Public works operators, parks department staff, fire department staff and police officers have split the city into quadrants are are working on clearing the roads, Montgomery said.

Montgomery cautioned residents to watch for downed power lines.

"There are a lot of power lines down," he said.

Residents with trees down in their yards should first check to see if there are downed power lines. If so, they should call Xcel Energy's downed power line hotline at 1-800-895-1999 or Dakota Electric at 651-463-6201. Any trees with downed power lines caught in them should be left alone until the electric company clears the lines.

Residents working to clear their yards of fallen trees and debris can take brush to the curb for city crews to pick up, although it may take a while before crews can get to it, Montgomery said.

"Eventually, we will come by and pick up material," he said.

Residents should also be aware that if crews damage the lawn while removing material, residents will be responsible for repairing the lawn. Crews will not be able to fix any ruts.

The city is still working to find a place for storm debris to be taken. More information will be posted as it becomes available. City updates will also be provided on the city website, www.ci.hastings.mn.us, as well as on the city's Facebook page.

Tags: area news, news, minnesota, weather