Severe storms rolled through Iowa during the afternoon and reached Wisconsin. The first tornado warning for southern Wisconsin was issued just before 3 p.m. for Richland County. Over 10 tornado warnings were issued for southern Wisconsin as the day transitioned to night. Along with the threat of tornadoes, hail and rain also produced plenty of threats. Hail fell throughout Wisconsin with larger hail being reported in Green County and Rock County. Baseball-sized hail fell near Beloit. The good news for southern Wisconsin is that calmer weather is in the forecast for the next couple of days.
Officials are asking the public to avoid Lena, Illinois, as several rounds of severe storms move through Iowa and Illinois. As of Friday night, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported, according to the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office. Widespread damage has been reported. Officials said the severe storm, believed to be a tornado, came through around 3:40 p.m. The town was hit by a second wave of storms just a few hours later. The town is currently restricted to only residents, emergency and utility personnel and anyone with a legitimate need to be in the area as crews work to assess damage and conduct welfare checks. Roads have been blocked by debris and trees. The sheriff’s office said hazardous conditions are still at play with downed power lines and compromised structures. Damage assessments are ongoing. The National Weather Service will conduct surveys to determine the severity of the storm and confirm whether or not it was a tornado.
The US National Weather Service in the Quad Cities will be doing multiple assessments following severe storms on Friday. Teams from the Quad Cities office will be doing damage surveys in Lena, IL where there is damage very likely associated with tornado, in Hancock County, IL where there is damage potentially due to a combination of strong winds and a tornado. Another area that got hit hard by storms was Washington County, IA, and there are some incoming reports of damage there. The NWS in La Crosse will be sending two survey teams to survey damage in west-central WI and southeast MN on Saturday. Results from these surveys will be released when information is earliest available.
The Iowa County Sheriffs Department deployed the American Red Cross trailer last night to Avoca in response to flooding. The trailer is equipped with equipment to establish an emergency shelter if needed overnight, as water continues to rise along the river and impact communities such as Avoca. Sandbagging operations are continuing today as Avoca just received 7,000 sandbags at 1001 E. Lakeshore Drive in Avoca. Volunteers are welcome to help fill them. Monitor the Avoca Facebook page for any updates or changes to sandbagging operations.
Rock County on Sunday declared a countywide emergency following severe weather, which also includes an EF1 tornado. Many communities remain significantly impacted, with the Rock River expected to crest starting Wednesday. People can find the latest projections and timeline at the National Weather Services updated gauge website. The tornado hit southwest Emerald Grove, a community just east of Janesville, on Friday. It moved northeast into Lake Lorraine and had maximum winds of 100 mph. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
A hectic week for severe weather in Wisconsin. The Journal Sentinel reports that Wisconsin’s four National Weather Service stations declared 92 different tornado warnings from Monday through Friday of last week. The most warnings were from the agency’s Milwaukee station, which issued 43 warnings. The La Crosse station declared 35 warnings, with 26 warnings on Friday alone adding up to the most in a single day in the office’s 29-year-history. The weather service confirmed at least 13 tornadoes touched down in the state Friday, with eight in southeast Wisconsin, three in western Wisconsin and two in Marathon County. The strongest were EF-3’s that touched down in the Buffalo County community of Cream, and the town of Ringle in Marathon County. Final touchdown confirmations aren’t expected to be complete until Tuesday. The State Climatology Office says, on average, Wisconsin gets 23 tornadoes every year.
Well owners should be on alert after heavy rainfall last week. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is urging private well owners to test their drinking water after the recent stretch of heavy rain and flooding. The DNR says floodwaters and runoff can carry bacteria and other contaminants into wells, especially those in low‑lying areas, pits, or basements. If your water suddenly changes in taste, color, or clarity, officials say to assume the well is contaminated: stop drinking the water, disinfect the well and test it again before using it. The DNR recommends annual testing for bacteria and nitrates, and more guidance is available on its Coping with Flooding and private wells webpages.
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois has announced the creation of a fund to support a storm-hit village in the region. The Lena Strong Community Fund will generate money for nonprofit organizations providing aid to storm victims in the village, according to a press release. The release states that the foundation pledges to match donated funds, dollar-to-dollar, up to $50,000. According to the National Weather Service, an EF2-rated tornado caused extensive damage on Friday in Lena, a Stephenson County community located about 11 miles east of Stockton. The tornado traveled more than eight miles and damaged many homes and outbuildings, according to the weather service.
The Miller Riverview Park campground is closed because of high Mississippi River levels. The city of Dubuque campground is closed until further notice, and the official opening date for the campground will be announced after river levels recede. The Mississippi River stood at 14.71 feet at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Dubuque railroad bridge, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 17 feet at the bridge. The weather service forecasts the river to rise to 16.9 feet by Thursday.
The National Weather Service has confirmed an additional tornado in our listening area on Friday. An EF1 tornado with max winds speed of 90-95 mph begun just east of the Galena Territories causing damage to the awning of house. The tornado then caused sporadic tree damage along it’s 3.7 mile long path.
