Plane crashes in Owatonna as storms rake southern Minnesota
by The Associated Press

UNDATED -- A fatal plane crash in Owatonna as storms rake southern Minnesota.

An FAA spokeswoman confirms at least seven people died when the small plane crashed near or at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport.

The crash came as a line of strong thunderstorms moved across southern Minnesota, knocking out power lines, snapping trees and damaging agricultural buildings.

In Clara City, high winds blew a grain bin and grain conveyor across state Highway 23, knocking down the primary power line to the city.

Besides Clara City, power also is out in Madison, Granite Falls, Montevideo, Bellingham, Clarkfield, Milan, Appleton, Canby and Dawson.

The storm continued east, hitting Mankato with 60-mph winds. Some roads were blocked by fallen branches, there were scattered power outages and a VIP tent at the Minnesota Vikings training camp
was damaged.

A semi was reported overturned in LeCenter, and the roof was blown off a nursing home there.