Storm Chaser Captures Close-Up View of Deadly Tornado Sweeping Through Otter Tail County, Minnesota

A tornado in Otter Tail County, central Minnesota, on July 8 left one person dead and two injured, the local sheriff said.

Three farmsteads were hit near Dalton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Forks was quoted as saying by WCCO.

Melanie Metz recorded footage of the tornado from her vehicle.

“The long-lived tornado in this video tracked through fields near Dalton and Ashby, Minnesota. I followed the tornado from the moment it touched down until it roped out. My chase partner and I called in reports to the National Weather Service when the first funnel formed. This allowed the NWS to issue a tornado warning very quickly. Unfortunately, there was some damage to property and one fatality,” Metz told Storyful.

Other footage by locals shows the tornado as viewed from Fergus Falls near Dalton, Minnesota.

The two injured people were taken to hospital with unknown conditions, Otter Tail County officials said. Credit: Melanie Metz via Storyful