Saturday storm hits Scott County

Severe thunderstorms blew through Scott County between 9 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, and severe weather sirens were activated three times in New Prague during that time. The storm caused flooding and damage in many parts of the county, but the New Prague area seems to have escaped most of the damage.

A decorative street light in front of the New Prague Library at Main Street E. and Lincoln Ave. S had been knocked over by the high winds. The power was still on and the lights were still illuminated as a New Prague police officer waited for New Prague Utilities to arrive.

The officer said it was the only damage he was aware of in the city, but there was some minor street flooding in the usual areas. He said north of New Prague the damage was much more severe. Belle Plaine reported 70 mile-per-hour winds, several electrical transformers in Jordan were knocked out and a car was reportedly blown into the ditch near St. Patrick. Other reports indicated street flooding in the Shakopee and Savage areas.

More rain is expected and the Scott, Le Sueur and Rice county areas were under Flash Flood warnings until 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Read more in the July 1, 2010 print edition of The New Prague Times.