Tornado Strikes Evansville: Emergency Situation Unfolds
Unprecedented Tornado Activity in Wisconsin
Tornado Touchdown Confirmed in Evansville
A confirmed tornado had been spotted in Evansville Thursday night. This comes in the aftermath of a series of warnings issued by the National Weather Service for the state of Wisconsin. Notably, this was the first twister spotted in the state in February, according to the National Weather Service.
Damage Reports and Power Outages
There are downed power lines throughout the city, including a section of multiple power lines along Wallin Road, according to police scanner traffic and local media reports. Earlier, a large twister was spotted in Madison and was confirmed by the NWS Meteorologists on the ground.
Extensive Damage and Alert Status
Tornado Strikes Rock and Green Counties
More than 30 buildings, power lines, and other structures in Rock and Green counties were damaged Thursday night in what officials there described as several tornado touchdowns.
No Reported Deaths, but Significant Destruction
As of 8:30 p.m., there had been no reports of any deaths or injuries due to the storm that swept through southern Wisconsin, according to Mark Elland, a shift supervisor at the Rock County 911 center, and the Green County Sheriff’s Department. Elland said there had been “numerous reports of tornado activity, funnel clouds,” including reports from law enforcement of a tornado touching down in several areas of the county.
Response and Cleanup Efforts Underway
Immediate Emergency Response
Green County said 911 calls reporting damage in the town of Decatur came in around 5:30 p.m., and the Albany Fire Department observed a funnel cloud and possible tornado touchdown approximately 1½ miles south of that village.
Assessing the Damage and Ensuring Safety
National Weather Service meteorologist Marcia Cronce said it was tracking any rotation of winds that might signal a tornado and had received reports of wind damage along a path from Albany northeast to Fort Atkinson.
Road Closures and Power Outages
The state Department of Transportation put out an alert Thursday night that both lanes of Highway 14 at North Tolles Road were closed as of 7:20 p.m. because of debris blocking the road. The closure was expected to last two hours. Elland said there had been wires blown down on County Highway M and Highway 14, and Alliant Energy was reporting more than 700 power outages north of Edgerton.
The situation is still developing, and residents are urged to stay tuned to local news and weather updates for the latest information and safety instructions.