Damage ranging from major to minor, power outages and minor injuries have been reported following a tornado and severe storm that hit near Evansville Thursday night, according to Rock County authorities.
This marks the first time a tornado touched down in the state during February. The tornado was part of a storm system tracking across southern Wisconsin that has resulted in strong winds, lightning and hail.
Nearly two dozen local police, fire, paramedics and service organizations responded to reports of severe weather damage east and northeast of Evansville just before 6 p.m., according to an overnight news release from Rock County Sheriff’s Office and Rock County Emergency Management.
Here’s what to know about the damage, power outages, road closures and school closures following Thursday night’s weather events:
What do we know about the tornadoes that touched down in Wisconsin?
National Weather Service staff who surveyed properties determined there were two tornadoes: An EF-1 that occurred about 5:15 p.m. near Albany, in Green County, just southwest of Evansville, then an EF-2 tornado about 5:40 p.m. that moved northeast from Evansville to southwest Jefferson County. Winds reached up to 135 mph in the Evansville tornado.
Exact details on their routes and the length and width of their paths are still being calculated, said Tim Halbach, the warning coordination meteorologist at the weather service office in Sullivan. Halbach held open the possibility for the Evansville tornado to be upgraded to an EF-3, as surveyors saw overturned large farm equipment in a barn and wanted to consult with experts about whether it indicated stronger winds.
While this is the first February tornado in Wisconsin, the state has seen three during the month of January. The most recent January tornado being in 2008, according to the National Weather Service.
School closures following tornado, storm near Evansville
All Evansville Community School District schools are closed Friday “due to the storms and loss of power,” according to a Friday morning Facebook post from ECSD.
“Please stay safe!” the post said.
The storm tore roofs off houses and barns, downed power lines and trees, and overturned tractors and other farm equipment in fields. Warped sheet metal, pieces of lumber and other debris were strewn across farms and roads east of Evansville.
Some houses were significantly damaged or destroyed, and a large number of others received moderate damage, Rock County Sheriff Curtis Fell told the Journal Sentinel.
Rock County Emergency Management and local partners have been conducting preliminary damage assessments Friday and are working to clear the area, a release said.
Residents are asked to cooperate with damage assessors, who will have identification.
Crews visited every home in the area to check whether the residents were safe and help them evacuate if needed, Fell said.
Evacuated residents should not return to their properties at this time, a news release said. Non-evacuated residents are to report property damage to 211.
Residents will receive further information later Friday, a release said.
The Wisconsin Air Coordination Group is performing a flyover across the affected area. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is also flying drones to survey damage.
Power outages following tornado, storm near Evansville
Damage to power infrastructure caused outages from west of Edgerton to Footville, a release said. A warming shelter was set up at the Evansville fire station.
Much of the power for the City of Evansville and south has since been restored, said Captain Mark Thompson of the sheriff’s office. But, other nearby “affected” areas remain without power, he said.
Power and light crews were working to restore residents’ power — something Fell estimated would be done by the end of the weekend.
Road closures following tornado, storm near Evansville
Before 9 a.m., Highway 14 reopened for eastbound and westbound traffic, according to a news release. Several side roads remain closed “due to debris and other hazards.”
“We will systematically start opening them back up as we get them cleared,” Thompson said Friday morning.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid auxiliary roads.
Were there any injuries?
So far, only a handful of minor injuries have been reported, Fell said, with just one person who was in a car at the time of the tornado needing to be transported to a local hospital.
The crews did find some people who used oxygen and had limited amounts because of the power outage; those people were transported to other areas where they could receive assistance.
Fell said it was remarkable that he and his team didn’t come across more injuries.
If you have been impacted by this storm and need resources, here’s who to contact
If you have been impacted by the storm and are in need of resources, contact 211, a release said.
Drake Bentley, Sophie Carson and Madeline Heim of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
