EF-3 tornado hits Wisconsin, damaging or destroying at least 28 homes
An EF-3 tornado touched down in Western Wisconsin on the night of September 24, 2019, damaging or destroying at least 28 homes and structures in Chippewa and Dunn counties.
The storms started rolling through into Wisconsin at around 19:00 LT. Aside from the damages to at least 28 residential properties, at least three semi-trailers were overturned along State Highway 29. 15 houses experienced significant damage, while 13 were destroyed. Four of these properties were mobile homes, according to emergency management.
9:40pm: First official report from Chippewa County, WI. Major damage including building collapses as a result of the tornado that moved through. WEAU-TV reporting damage near Elk Mound & Chippewa Co. House leveled and possible damage to mobile home park. pic.twitter.com/BuTsukEVhI
— Tom Wachs (@Tom_Wachs) September 25, 2019
The line of storms headed into Dunn County and north of Elk Mound, and into Chippewa County for a total of 8.8 km (5.5 miles).
Most significant damage occurred in Wheaton, WI just east of Elk Mound around the intersection of county road M and Wisconsin State Road 29. This area saw entire stands of Pine trees leveled, some stripping of bark from trees, and the destruction of several structures. The destruction of a metal building and significant damage to two nearby homes were consistent with expected damage from winds of EF-3 in strength, NWS said.
Jim Kowalczyk, Chippewa County Sherrif, confirmed that only a few people received minor injuries.
An intense thunderstorm which spawned the tornado formed by 21:00 LT near Augusta.
Governor Tony Evers assessed the damage in Chippewa County on September 25. Officials also extended assistance to affected residents.
Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday surveyed damage in Chippewa County, where an EF-3 tornado touched down near Elk Mound and the Town of Wheaton. The governor met with residents affected by the storm and those assisting with recovery efforts. #ReadyWI #wiwx pic.twitter.com/KsGjIzRAX4
— ReadyWisconsin (@ReadyWisconsin) September 25, 2019
PHOTOS: Aftermath of an EF-3 tornado that tore through Chippewa County, Wisconsin on September 24, 2019. (Credit: @NWSTwinCities) pic.twitter.com/6kD8jd5xRz
— DMM News (@DMM_News_) September 26, 2019
Governor Tony Evers has declared a State of Emergency in Chippewa, Clark, and Dunn counties, following powerful storms that moved through the region Tuesday night, producing an EF-3 tornado. https://t.co/eje0pYpFwS pic.twitter.com/1gf0pYzmxi
— ReadyWisconsin (@ReadyWisconsin) September 26, 2019
Featured image credit: NWS
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