“I Heard a Big Boom”; Mahnomen Tornado Misses Family’s Home

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Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen is making repairs after an EF–1 tornado touched down and ripped through their parking lot.
 
Some neighbors tell us they heard the tornado early this morning.
 
Authorities tell us a call about the tornado landing came in just after three from the casino.
The wind managed to pick up a semi–trailer and flip it onto its side in the casino’s parking lot.
 
This is just some of the damage after an F–1 tornado landed in the Shooting Star Casino parking lot early this morning.
 
“It damaged a couple of sheds, two or three vehicles. Flattened some tires,” said Mahnomen County Sheriff Douglas Krier.
 
Billee Wenschlag and her family live just feet away from the casino.
She says she was watching TV when she heard a loud noise.
 
“I heard a big boom. I thought it was the neighbors door shutting. I didn’t think it was a tornado. Started to think it was a semi–truck behind us that flipped up,” said Billee Wenschlag.
 
The family says they are lucky because things could have been much worse.
 
“A think on Facebook saying tornado damage at casino. I go what, I said we’re like spitting distance from there, you know,” said Mike Wenschlag.
 
Mahnomen County Sheriff Douglas Krier says he drove around town to look for damage.
He says he didn’t see much besides a few branches and damaged crops.
There was also damage to a shed near the casino’s bingo palace.
 
Authorities tell us there wasn’t too much damage, but that didn’t stop neighbors from worrying.
 
“Pretty scary, I mean we’re not too far away from there,” said Billee Wenschlag.
 
Billee was planning on going to bingo tonight but she said it was closed.

The family says they are just thankful no one was injured.
 
Flying debris also damaged parked vehicles and a nearby store.