A tornado warning has been lifted for Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties after a thunderstorm passed through central Minnesota Saturday afternoon.

Meteorologists sounded the alarm when radar equipment detected possible rotation inside the storm just east of St. Cloud around 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service Twin Cities. Authorities asked residents to seek shelter from high winds and possible flying debris as dark skies rolled northeast toward Onamia and Bayview.

But preliminary reports indicate that a funnel cloud was never detected during scattered thunderstorms.

An earlier warning for Benton, Sherburne and Stearns Counties has also expired.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648