Caught On Camera: Rare Tornado Outbreak in Southeast Minnesota on Friday

When severe weather hits in the Spring, hundreds of storm chasers can show up in specific areas, just hoping to catch a glimpse of a tornado.

Earlier this week, Reed Timmer and the Dominator 3 came for the hunt as severe weather was anticipated on Monday, April 13th, 2026.  My sister was one of the storm chasers that day and she grabbed some amazing photos of the tornado as it formed.

READ MORE: Storm Chasers Catch Photos of The Tornado Touching Down In Southern Minnesota on Monday

Multiple Tornadoes Caught On Camera in Southeast Minnesota on Friday, April 17th, 2026

I heard that severe weather was possible for Friday but didn't realize how bad it was until I was sitting at Townsquare Media and heard the sirens start.  My husband was listening to the storm spotters and I asked him why the sirens were going off and his response was immediate:

"Tornado on the ground near Stewartville.  Spotters can see it."

A few minutes later, he sent another one that said,

"Still on the ground.  It's just SW of the airport"

According to the National Weather Service La Crosse, large hail and damaging winds were a threat with the storm that was hitting the area.  The storm also had a history of producing multiple tornadoes.

Photos Of The Tornadoes That Hit Southeast Minnesota on Friday, April 17th, 2026

As the sirens were blaring throughout the region on Friday, April 17th, 2026, several people caught on camera one of the tornadoes as it shifted through the area near Rochester.  Some people were shopping near the South Target and Lowe's in Rochester.  Others were at their homes and were able to see the tornado as it showed its massive self in the sky.

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Several hundred homes were without power after the storm hit and some damage has been reported in Olmsted County.  Our KROC News team will have updates as more details are provided.

They also shared with me the photo below that was taken by a MnDot camera around the I-90/Hwy 63 interchange looking northeast around 2:27 pm.

Dawn Marie String was near The Gardens in SE Rochester when she snapped this photo.

A few more photos of the tornado from the Stewartville area were sent to us by Ray McQuire.

Near the Rochester International Airport and Hwy 63 was where the photo below was taken.

Near the Southern Hills subdivision is where Scott Malo grabbed this photo.