Tornadoes cause damage in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Tornadoes were reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Monday, April 28, 2025, as severe storms swept across the Midwest, producing winds exceeding 120 km/h (74 mph) and teacup-sized hail.

A tornado touched down approximately 10 km (6 miles) west of Kenyon, in Minnesota’s Rice County, at 17:55 LT on Monday, April 28, causing structural damage to a farm and scattering debris across the area.

Reports indicate that a barn and silos were destroyed, a semi-truck was tipped over, and a large commercial warehouse in Kenyon sustained roof damage.

Another tornado touched down near Augusta in Eau Claire County. The National Weather Service (NWS) announced plans to conduct a damage survey on Tuesday, April 29.

According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), the tornado touched down at approximately 19:55 LT, roughly 16 km (10 miles) southwest of Fall Creek. “Structure damage and photos confirm a tornado in southern Eau Claire County. The path may stretch to the east of Augusta,” the SPC said.

More than 10 000 customers across northern Wisconsin experienced power outages due to the storms, according to First Alert.

Multiple other tornadoes have also been reported, but are yet to be confirmed by the NWS.

Damaging wind gusts equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane were reported in some areas. A wind gust of 124 km/h (77 mph) was recorded in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, while a gust of 119 km/h (74 mph) was recorded at the Estherville Airport in Emmet County, Iowa, on Monday.

The tornadoes were part of a larger weather system that affected much of the Midwest on Monday. Large hail was reported across multiple states, including Kansas and Oklahoma, with the SPC reporting teacup-sized hail in parts of Oklahoma.

Multiple tornado warnings and severe weather alerts were issued across the Midwest on Monday as the system moved into Minnesota after producing more than 10 tornadoes in Nebraska, including one that derailed a coal train near Ashby.

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Feature image credit: Carson Akers

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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