LITCHFIELD, Minn. (AP) – At least two tornadoes, torrential rain and powerful winds damaged homes, caused an evacuation of a nursing home and flooded highways in north-central Minnesota.

Authorities in Meeker County say 15 to 20 homes were damaged by tornadoes Monday afternoon. The Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins lost part of its roof, causing 50 residents to evacuate. In Litchfield, Mayor Keith Johnson says there’s serious damage, but no one has been injured. 

The storms generated a deluge of heavy rain causing the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office to advise against travel late Monday because of flooding. Flash flooding also left drivers stranded in the St. Cloud area.

The National Weather Service reported the hardest hit areas were the town of Watkins, northwest Litchfield, and locations near St. Cloud. 

Image (bottom): The National Weather Service says the image shows radar reflectivity (left) and storm relative velocity (right) frim 5-7 p.m. CDT.    

Storm radar of central Minn. courtesy the National Weather Service.