Xcel Energy Restores Power to Most in Eastern South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Xcel Energy has restored electricity to all customers able to receive power in the wake of strong storms that hit eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota early Monday.

Winds gusting to 100 mph downed hundreds of power poles. About 8,000 Xcel customers in the region were left in the dark. The utility says more than 150 employees from the Dakotas and Minnesota worked to restore power.

The Pierre-Fort Pierre region in central South Dakota also was hit hard. The Capital Journal reports the city got 1.65 inches of rain, a record for the date. Strong winds damaged the roof at the state Capitol and led to some water damage on the building's fourth floor.

KCCR radio reports that the Pierre City Commission on Tuesday declared a state of emergency.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.