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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Inver Grove Heights, MN

Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historical landmark gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Inver Grove Heights, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Inver Grove Heights, MN?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Types of Elderly Care in Inver Grove Heights, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Inver Grove Heights, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Inver Grove Heights, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Ernster Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Mallards Restaurant or visit Eagan Water Tower, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Benefits of Home Care in Inver Grove Heights, MN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Inver Grove Heights, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Inver Grove Heights, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Inver Grove Heights, MN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Suite Living Memory Care & Assisted Living of Inver Grove Heights
  • Brookdale Inver Grove Heights
  • White Pine Advanced Assisted Living - Inver Grove Heights
  • Woodlyn Heights Senior Living
  • Timber Hills
  • Presbyterian Homes & Services
Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Inver Grove Heights, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Inver Grove Heights, MN

Latest News in Inver Grove Heights, MN

Inver Grove Heights advances senior, townhome housing

HomeNewsConstruction & DevelopmentTwo projects that would feed the demand for new housing in Inver Grove Heights are advancing after positive reviews from the city’s planning commission.Wednesday night, the commission recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and a planned unit development amendment to allow a three-story, 57-unit senior housing building at 9170 Cahill Ave.The project, proposed by the Dakota County Community Development Agency, would offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom rental units...

HomeNewsConstruction & Development

Two projects that would feed the demand for new housing in Inver Grove Heights are advancing after positive reviews from the city’s planning commission.

Wednesday night, the commission recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and a planned unit development amendment to allow a three-story, 57-unit senior housing building at 9170 Cahill Ave.

The project, proposed by the Dakota County Community Development Agency, would offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom rental units, and mirror an existing 66-unit senior housing building on part of a 5.7-acre parcel.

Also on Wednesday, the commission signed off on a preliminary plat and planned unit development for a proposed 119-unit rental townhome development at the southwest corner of Argenta Boulevard and 65th Street West.

Developed by Ace Land Holdings LLC, an entity related to MV Ventures and Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, the project would create “an intimate neighborhood setting with ample shared amenities,” according to a project narrative.

Both projects are expected to go before the City Council later this month.

Senior housing

Pending city approvals, the Dakota County CDA plans to begin construction on its senior rental project in late spring, with completion in summer 2027, according to a project narrative.

The units would be restricted to households with a maximum income of $72,950 for a one-person household or $83,400 for a two-person household. Rents in the existing building are $772 for a one-bedroom and $1,183 for a two-bedroom unit.

The narrative cites a recently completed Dakota County Housing Needs Assessment study, which found a need for more senior housing in the city.

Since 1990, the Dakota County CDA has completed 30 developments with a combined 1,755 affordable rentals for seniors.

Kari Gill, deputy executive director of the Dakota County CDA, told the planning commission that the CDA has more than 1,000 people on a waiting list for units.

“Senior housing is in high demand, both in Inver Grove Heights and Dakota County, particularly affordable senior housing,” Gill said.

Even so, the project received some pushback. During the public hearing portion of Wednesday’s meeting, two residents raised concerns about tree removal and other impacts to the neighborhood.

“I love looking up in the morning and seeing the deer in my backyard. I love that. And with all of this coming in, they’re going to be gone,” one resident said.

Gill said the development team made some changes in response to neighbors’ concerns. Changes include a larger buffer zone between the project site and nearby homes, and preservation of “as many trees as possible.”

“We made as many tweaks as we could,” she said.

Scott Clancy, a planning commissioner, said the project “is hitting a lot of the needs that we’re seeing here in our community” and that it’s “respectful to the surrounding community.”

“I think it would be hard-pressed for us right now to find a way to deny [the project] based off of our responsibility here tonight,” Clancy said.

Townhomes

Ace Land Holdings LLC hopes to begin mass grading, site work, utilities and road construction for the townhome project as soon as the “2025-26 timeframe,” according to a project narrative.

Construction would play out in three to four years, starting with a clubhouse, “outdoor amenity areas” and 61 units in the first phase. The remaining units would come in the second round of construction.

David Stofer, executive director of development at MV Ventures, told the planning commission that the development team aims to implement “many of the goals of the public interest” with the project.

“We were not merchant builders. Our company was really formed with the premise of developing, constructing and operating property long term. Our objective is to enter markets and elevate those markets in which we’re invested,” he said.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, critics raised concerns about the project’s impact on single-family homes in the neighborhood.

“This is not retaining the character of the neighborhood at all,” one resident testified. “It looks like it belongs in Zygi Wilf’s football field area where he’s got the 10 apartment buildings.”

Despite the concerns, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary plat and planned unit development amendment.

Planning Commissioner Jason Teiken said the townhome development addresses a housing need in the city.

“One of the things that we’re doing well with are market-rate townhomes, but one of the things we’re not are rental properties,” he said. “In terms of housing needs, there’s senior, there’s rentals in general, and it goes up from there.

“This particular development, though it’s similar to other developments that we’ve seen, other market rate town homes, it is addressing another … housing need that we haven’t discussed here all that recently.”

Inver Grove Heights' historic Rock Island Swing Bridge gets illuminating upgrade

An historic rail bridge built in the late 1890s is getting new life in one Minnesota community.Scenic views of the Mississippi River can still be found where horse-drawn wagons, trains and cars once traveled over "America's River" between Inver Grove Heights and St. Paul Park."It's super important to us," said Adam Lares, Inver Grove Heights' park and recreation director. "This is part of our history and one of our foundations of our city."That history began with construction of the double-d...

An historic rail bridge built in the late 1890s is getting new life in one Minnesota community.

Scenic views of the Mississippi River can still be found where horse-drawn wagons, trains and cars once traveled over "America's River" between Inver Grove Heights and St. Paul Park.

"It's super important to us," said Adam Lares, Inver Grove Heights' park and recreation director. "This is part of our history and one of our foundations of our city."

That history began with construction of the double-decker Rock Island Swing Bridge in 1894. The local legend is that notorious gangster John Dillinger crossed the bridge in a stolen car following a shootout with Dakota County authorities in the mid-1930s.

The bridge closed to rail traffic in 1980 and road traffic in 1999. Today, it is a pier spanning 680 feet over the river where old meets new — thanks to an illuminating idea.

"The first time I heard about it was from one of our council members, Councilmember John Murphy. He's like, 'Hey, it'd be great idea if we could kind of draw some more attention to our community, utilize our history and put some lights on that bridge,'" Lares said.

New life and light were added to the bridge in the form of 28,000 color-changing LEDs in June.

The half-million-dollar upgrade got a big boost from the state, and the city chipped in, too.

The nightly light shows are bringing new visitors, and brightening memories for longtime locals.

"When I was a kid, went over that on a toll. I walked across that bridge. My grandpa, my grandma worked on that bridge, so it just really flooded a lot of history back," Lares said.

The city is already getting requests for color combinations and other light show suggestions. They are currently working on a lighting policy.

"I hope one day we will see it purple and gold for the Vikings when they win the Super Bowl," Lares said.

The unique light show starts every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night through the summer.

Derek James

Derek James anchors Saturday and Sunday evening newscasts and contributes stories during the week on "The 4."

Hwy. 61 Motorcycle Crash Leaves 60-Year-Old Woman Fighting for Her Life, Driver Arrested for Suspected Impairment

St. Paul Park, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Minnesota motorcyclist is in custody following a crash that left his passenger with severe injuries.An SUV was also involved in the motorcycle crash. The State Patrol responded to the accident on a Twin Cities area freeway shortly before 7:00 Sunday evening...

St. Paul Park, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Minnesota motorcyclist is in custody following a crash that left his passenger with severe injuries.

An SUV was also involved in the motorcycle crash. The State Patrol responded to the accident on a Twin Cities area freeway shortly before 7:00 Sunday evening.

Four people were involved in the critical injury motorcycle crash.

The SUV and motorcycle made contact with each other at the Hwy. 61/70th St. South in St. Paul Park. Both drivers were heading north when they collided, the state crash report says.

70-year-old Lonnie William Cory of Inver Grove Heights was operating the motorcycle. He was not injured in the crash, according to the State Patrol.

60-year-old Kimberly Ann Robinson of Newport, MN was riding on the motorcycle. The State Patrol says she was ejected from the motorcycle following the crash.

Robinson’s injuries are being described as life-threatening. She was taken to Regions Hospital for further care.

The state crash report indicates Cory had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. He is currently being held in the Washington County Jail, according to detention records.

Neither one of the motorcycle occupants were wearing helmets, the State Patrol says.

62-year-old Robert Michael Grundvig of Flagler Beach, FL was driving the SUV. He and his passenger, identified as 56-year-old Heidi Jean Buhlman-Grundvig of Flagler Beach, FL, escaped the crash without injuries.

Clean up continues after second day of destruction across MN

Communities across the southern half of Minnesota saw more destruction after a second round of strong storms Monday.MINNEAPOLIS — A second round of storms made its way across the southern half of the state Monday night, bringing with it heavy rain, quarter-sized hail and intense wind gusts reaching nearly 80 mph.Several communities across the southern portion of Minnesota, including Edina, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Columbia Heights, Minneapolis...

Communities across the southern half of Minnesota saw more destruction after a second round of strong storms Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS — A second round of storms made its way across the southern half of the state Monday night, bringing with it heavy rain, quarter-sized hail and intense wind gusts reaching nearly 80 mph.

Several communities across the southern portion of Minnesota, including Edina, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Columbia Heights, Minneapolis, Winstead, Houston, and South St. Paul reported fallen trees blocking streets and damaging houses, while some residents reported downed power lines and outages.

Crews were hard at work clearing downed trees and restoring power. Chad Gale with Steve's Quality Tree Service says they've been slammed all day, with calls coming in early Tuesday morning.

"Actually, I just got two more calls as we were here to go back to St. Paul," Gale said.

Their crews were in St. Paul, St. Louis Park and Circle Pines before 1:30 Tuesday.

"I don't want to see people's houses get crushed. I don't want to see people get hurt," Gale said. "So, it's kind of a good thing, but also a bad thing, but for us right now, this is our busy season."

Xcel Energy crews were also hard at work. Brandon Cramer, Director of Distribution Operations for the company, says crews came in from Texas and Colorado to help.

"This event is a little unique just because of the volume and complexity with the timing," Cramer said. "So, I'd say we're leaning on our partners across the industry a little bit more than typical, just because of the scale of things."

Cramer says the goal is to have the majority of customers' power back on by Thursday. He says at its peak, both storms knocked out a total of more than 300,000 customers' power.

If you're worried about your bill increasing while your power is out, don't be. Xcel confirmed to KARE 11 that you won't be charged for power you don't use.

Of course, damage was widespread across the metro, and many viewers sent in pictures of their own damage.

Viewer Edward Jacob's Blaine yard was among the storm's casualties.

The storm also dealt a blow to this home in northeast Minneapolis.

And in South St. Paul, crews started work early Tuesday morning, cutting and cleaning up trunks and limbs.

In Eagan, KARE 11 photojournalist David Peterlinz caught footage of a downed power line sparking fires off of Highway 13.

With much of the wreckage landing atop live power cables, more than 50,000 Xcel Energy customers remained without power Tuesday morning.

As debris started flying, a 76 mph wind gust was recorded at the Rochester Airport, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), while communities like Owatonna and New Prague saw wind gusts between 64 and 70 mph.

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