Wisconsin sees nearly a year’s worth in a day by Rob McElwee
On Thursday evening 18 tornadoes ripped through five counties of the Midwestern state of Wisconsin. It made it one of the heaviest days for tornado touchdowns in the state’s history, and was the most intense tornado outbreak in the USA so far this year. Wisconsin normally sees just 21 tornadoes a year.
A dangerous type of thunderstorm known as a supercell that lasted for eight hours was responsible for the tornadoes. At this time of year a typical Wisconsin thunderstorm lasts just twenty minutes. The heaviest damage was caused in the town of Stoughton, 15 miles (24 km) south of the state capital Madison. Here a tornado with winds estimated at 157mph (253 km/h) tore a path of damage 12 miles (19 km) long and half a mile wide. Viola, 80 miles (129 km) to the northwest of Madison, was also badly hit with 100 homes damaged.
Statewide the tornadoes destroyed at least 30 homes and damaged a further 200, and as a result a state of emergency was issued for the three worst-hit counties of Dane, Richland and Vernon. Damage costs were initially estimated at $11 million (£6.1m).
Over 30 people were injured and one person lost their life, bringing the total of tornado-related fatalities in the USA this year to seven. This is much lower than in an average year, when there are about 60 deaths from around 1000 tornadoes in the US. The small number of fatalities this year continues the trend set in 2004, when only 20 people lost their lives despite over 1800 reported tornadoes.
Across the border into the Canadian province of Ontario a state of emergency was declared Friday after a tornado left a trail of destruction in the town of Fergus. Much of southwest Ontario was battered by strong winds and heavy rain as a series of severe storms crossed through during Friday afternoon. Thousands of residents in the province were left without power.
Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for Toronto, a rare event for Canada’s most populous city. Flooding was reported in Brampton, west of the city, after 100 mm (4 inches) of rain was reported to have fallen. The storms also caused disruption to flights at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Despite the stormy weather, no injuries were reported.
The US National Weather Service is forecasting more thunderstorms today but they are not expected to be as severe.
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