1 dead after tornadoes near Ashby and Garrison, Minnesota damage homes, down trees and power lines

ASHBY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Tornadoes touched down near Ashby and Garrison, Minnesota during a tornado warning in parts of central Minnesota Wednesday evening. A spokeswoman with the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office confirmed one person has died due to the tornado near Ashby.

MAYOR: 'IT WAS PRETTY DESTRUCTIVE'

According to reports on the ground, the tornado damaged crops and destroyed four residences, Ashby Mayor Tom Grover says. 

It was "pretty destructive," Grover said of the tornado that moved between Ashby and Dalton. The homes that were destroyed were not in the city proper. 

The Ashby Fire Chief said a couple of people sustained minor cuts and bruises.  Power lines and trees were downed during the severe weather, too. 

STORM CHASER’S CLOSE ENCOUNTER: ‘I CAN SMELL IT’

Storm chaser Melanie Metz captured some incredibly close-up footage of the tornado near Ashby and Dalton 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,” Metz said. “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.” 

The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office says two people were injured and hospitalized due to the severe weather, but law enforcement was still conducting house checks Wednesday night. 

GARRISON TORNADO

In Garrison, Minnesota only one home was slightly damaged as a result of the tornado and no injuries were reported. Law enforcement is still assessing the damage in that area, too. 

Winds up to 70 miles per hour and ping pong ball sized hail were also factors in this storm.