A ferocious complex of storms raced across the Dakotas and Minnesota overnight, producing wind gusts at or above hurricane force, spawning destructive tornadoes, and flattening wide swaths of forest in northern Minnesota. Tens of thousands of customers lost power, and in some lakeside communities the damage to trees and lines is being compared to a hurricane strike.

Overnight Storms Are the Most Dangerous

This event hit hardest in the middle of the night, when families were asleep and warnings were easy to miss. Nighttime wind events knock out power before most people know a storm is coming, which makes automatic backup systems especially valuable. They respond in seconds whether you are awake, asleep, or away.

Preparing for Possible Impacts

• Inspect your standby generator and ensure it is ready to activate automatically if power is lost.
• Run a test cycle to confirm your system starts and transfers power properly.
• Plan for fuel supply and make sure natural gas or propane systems are fully connected and serviced.
• Consider an upgrade. Whole-home backup solutions from Generac and Kohler deliver seamless power protection during prolonged outages.

Stay Informed

Enable wireless emergency alerts on every phone in your household and keep a weather radio by the bed during storm season.