A storm moving through Duluth around 3:30am took out power and phone lines and uprooted trees, closing roads and prompting travel advisories this morning.
The growl of chain saws started early as city crews and residents began assessing the damage.
UMD sent out an announcement just after 6:00am, saying campus would be closed until 10:00am "Due to storm damage, power outages, and a no travel advisory."
An updated alert at 9:42am read: "UMD campus will be closed today, July 21, due to a power outage. Please consider this a day of caring to help your family, friends, and neighbors."
The St.Louis County Sheriff's office issued a news release asking for no unnecessary travel:
"The storm that hit the northland at approximately 0345 hours has caused extensive damage reaching from the City of Duluth to the Ely area of St. Louis County, causing numerous downed trees resulting in power outages.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is advising the public not to travel if it is not necessary. If travel is needed, stay away from down power lines, be patient, allow yourself extra time to get to your destination, and to drive in a cautious manner due the debris and workers trying to clear the area roadways.
Keep in mind that with the power outages, traffic control devices may not be operating. Please treat all intersections as a four way stop to guarantee the safety of others.
The 911 Communications Center is aware of the numerous power outages and the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is working with Minnesota Power to try restore power in a timely manner.
Furthermore, please do not venture out simply to sight see, as the added traffic only increases the hazard and interferes with crews and emergency personnel that are responding to calls for service. "
