Minneapolis Mayor – Crews Assessing Damage

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says city crews are clearing debris block by block and tallying the number of homes damaged by a tornado that killed one person and injured 29 others Sunday.

Speaking at a storm-damaged neighborhood early Monday morning, Rybak said reports of widespread looting are false. The mayor says one liquor store was looted right after the tornado hit and there were a few burglaries overnight, but nothing widespread.

The tornado ripped through northern Minneapolis, tearing roofs off houses, toppling huge trees and power lines and knocking over rail cars. At least 100 homes were damaged.

Rybak says about 200 people stayed in a shelter set up at an armory after the storm left homes inhabitable and scattered debris and braches in streets.

Police spokesman William Palmer says off ramps from Interstate 94 to north Minneapolis will be closed until further notice to reduce traffic in the damaged areas.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)