US Bank Stadium exterior panels damaged by storm

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Intense winds from severe thunderstorms that swept across Minneapolis on Tuesday dislodged some exterior panels of U.S. Bank Stadium. Stadium officials said Wednesday that repairing the exterior will be an easy fix, but it’s not the first time this has happened and they are looking into ways to prevent future storm damage.

The storm damage was confirmed Wednesday morning during a news conference to provide an update on parking, transportation and tailgating at the new stadium. The damaged zinc panels are 12 inches high and between eight to 12 feet long. 

“We are looking at understanding why it is they came loose,” Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said. “Obviously there was a storm, but there will be more storms that come. So Mortenson and HKS are just looking at why they came loose and what they need to do to not only fix them as they sit, but to make sure we have a permanent fix so this doesn’t continue to happen.”

The Minnesota Vikings received the keys to U.S. Bank Stadium on June 17, six weeks ahead of schedule. The stadium’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on July 22.

The Vikings play their first game in August – a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. The first regular season Vikings game at the new stadium is a Sunday night game against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 18.