MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Rain, wind and lightning have knocked out power to thousands of customers in the Twin Cities metro area.

Xcel Energy says more than 8,000 customers were without service Tuesday morning.  Meteorologists say rain and thunder will ease, but then redevelop later Tuesday.

Recent storms and rain have pushed some rivers in Minnesota to high levels. Forecasters say heavy rain expected this week could cause the Mississippi, Minnesota and Red rivers to rise even more.

The National Weather Service says more than 3 inches of rain is predicted this week in central Minnesota.

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

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