Monroe County, WI Tornadoes

News Headlines

Tornadoes in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest & central Wisconsin
Background Information	Statistics (1850-Present)	Records (1850-Present)

Monroe County (WI) Tornadoes*
1850-2020

Date			Time	Location	Other Counties Affected	Length (miles)	Width (yards)	Deaths**	Injuries**	EF-Scale
Month	Day	Year	Time	Location	Other Counties Affected	Length (miles)	Width (yards)	Deaths**	Injuries**	EF-Scale
8	27	2018	1923-1929 CST	Watermill 1.5SSW to Wyeville 0.5SSE	None	5.12	150	0	0	EF1
			An EF1 tornado caused an intermittent damage path along and south of State Highway 21 between Tomah and Wyeville. The damage was limited to trees and a few power poles. This tornado caused $25,000 in property damage.
5	22	2011	1615- 1746 CST	Tunnel City 3N (Monroe) to Arnott 4.8SE (Portage)	Juneau Wood Portage	64.5	100 (Monroe) 800 (Juneau) 350 (Wood) 700 (Portage)	0	1	EF2 (Monroe & Juneau) EF1 (Wood & Portage)
			This tornado first developed about 4 miles northwest of Tomah. It then proceeded to move east-northeast crossing Interstate 94 north of Tomah. A house and mobile home were destoyed north of Tomah and another house was significantly damaged northeast of Tomah. The tornado then passed through mainly wooded rural areas before crossing into Juneau County southwest of Mather. Total damages across Juneau county from this tornado were estimated to be just over $500,000. This tornado entered into Juneau County southwest of Mather at 4:38 pm CST and then tracked northeast across the Necedah Wildlife Refuge between Mather and Finley damaging numerous trees. As the tornado approached Finley, it grew in size and was nearly a half mile wide as it crossed County Road F east of Finley. In this area, numerous trees were snapped or blown down with some of them landing on nearby homes. At a cranberry business east of Finley, all of the outbuildings and sheds were demolished and tossed into nearby fields and a loading deck platform and trucks were heavily damaged. Thick wooden power poles in this area were snapped or sheared off over a half mile long stretch. The tornado then weakened as it moved northeast toward the Wood-Juneau County line with damage to trees and some minor roof and siding damage. Total damages across Juneau county from this tornado were estimated to be $4.4 million. The tornado then moved out of Juneau County at 5:03 pm CST and moved east-northeast across southern Wood County. The storm hit a campground on the east shore of the Wisconsin River about three miles south of Nekoosa. Over 100 pine trees were snapped and uprooted on the campground, some two feet in diameter. Several camper vehicles were damaged by fallen trees. The tornado was seen by campground visitors just before 6:15 pm. The tornado continued east-northeast and snapped or uprooted hundreds of additional trees south of Wisconsin Rapids. The storm damaged at least six homes and several other outbuildings about six miles south-southeast of Wisconsin Rapids. One of the houses lost the entire roof of a garage). A woman in the garage at the time sustained injuries when the garage fell on the truck that she was taking shelter in. This area experienced high-end EF1 damage with winds at least 95 to 105 mph. Total damages across Wood County from this tornado were estimated to be $1.02 million. The tornado entered Portage County from Wood County at 5:20 pm CST mainly over farmland. The twister continued to snap trees and overturn agricultural irrigation systems. About six miles south of Plover, a nearly half-mile long row of power poles were bent over. The tornado crossed Interstate 39 at Coddington Road two miles west of Keene. The tornado grew to nearly 700 yards wide as it passed just north of Keene and heavily damaged a farmstead. A silo was damaged and barn flattened. Several outbuildings were also damaged or destroyed. Along the path, at least two dozen irrigation systems were overturned and damaged (resulting in over $1 million in losses) and many hundreds of trees snapped or uprooted. This area also experienced high-end EF1 damage with winds of 100 to 110 mph. The tornado dissipated about nine miles southeast of Plover at about 5:46 pm CST. The average path width was 300 yards. Total damages across Portage County from this tornado were estimated to be $1.02 million. Overall, this EF2 tornado was on the ground for 64.5 miles. It injured 1 person and caused $7.22 million in damages. More on this tornado can be found at the following web sites: https://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=may2211 and https://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=grb&storyid=68662&source=2
5	22	2011	1547-1600 CST	Rockland 1SW (La Crosse) to Sparta 1.8ENE (Monroe)	La Crosse	8.18	125	0	0	EF1
			For the short time this tornado was in La Crosse County where it produced mainly tree and some minor building damage. The tornado tracked from just southwest of Rockland, toward the rest stop on the eastbound side of Interstate 90 before crossing into Monroe County. This tornado passed into Monroe county at 3:50 pm CST just east of Rockland (La Crosse County) and continued to the east-northeast before dissipating in the southeast portion of Sparta. Along its path, the tornado destroyed one home east of Rockland, demolished 4 mobile homes and created damage to at least 50 homes in Sparta. At a car dealership on the south side of Sparta, a car was tossed 40 feet and flipped upside down and a billboard sign was knocked over on to a truck. Total damages from this tornado are estimated to be around $920,000 ($5,000 in La Crosse County and the remainder Monroe County). An estimated 200 customers lost power in Sparta as a result of this tornado. More on this tornado can be found at the following web site: https://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=may2211
8	18	2005	1554-1615 CST	Tomah 4.5E to Necedah 6 NW	Juneau	10	25	0	0	F1
			This was fifth of 27 tornadoes to touch down in Wisconsin on this date (a single day record for the state). It touched down along County Road N, or just east of the location where Interstate 90 and 94 split in eastern Monroe County. This tornado continued on a 10 mile track into Juneau County, ending just west of the Necedah Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. There was tree, agricultural and structural damage. A home, which was under construction, was completely destroyed. Three other homes sustained minor damage. Corn was flattened and there was significant tree damage as well. This tornado caused $140,500 in property damage ($40,500 in Monroe County and $100,000 in Juneau County) and $35,000 in crop damage ($10,000 in Monroe County and $25,000 in Juneau County).
6	23	2004	1800-1812 CST	Warrens 2.5NW to Warrens 3SE	None	4.5	50	0	4	F1
			A line of thunderstorms that moved out of Minnesota produced wind damage, hail and several tornadoes. This was third tornado to occur this evening. This tornado quickly developed about 3 miles west of Warrens (Monroe County) near Arctic Road, just west of Interstate 94 around 7:00 p.m. It hit a home along Interstate 94, then crossed the Interstate hitting a semi-truck, before moving into Jellystone Campground just west of Warrens. The tornado and associated strong winds around the storm knocked down hundreds of trees in this area, and damaged several tents, buildings, campers, and cars in Jellystone Campground. One gentleman was seriously injured when a tree fell on him during a rescue attempt. He was in a coma for a period of time, but survived with lasting disabilities. The tornado continued just southwest of Warrens and hit a home, blowing the roof off, south of the village along County Road O. It lifted about 2 miles southeast of Warrens around 7:12 p.m. The tornado path was approximately 4.5 miles in total length, with a maximum width of 50 yards. The tornado was rated an F1 on the Fujita Damage Scale. Wind speeds were likely 90 to 112 mph, with most of the damage related to downburst winds around the actual tornado. At least 3 people were hospitalized briefly for injuries, but there no fatalities.
9	7	2001	1730-1732 CST	Angelo 6N	None	0	30	0	1	F0
			A mobile home was hit by a tornado between Cataract and Angelo along County Road Q, completely demolishing the structure and tossing it about 30 feet. A woman was in the mobile home when the storm hit and managed to crawl out, in spite of sustaining minor injuries. Damage was estimated at $20,000.
7	9	2000	0300-0303 CST	Norwalk 2SE to Norwalk 3SE	None	0.9	30	0	0	F1
			This tornado touched down at the Intersection of County Road T and Levi Road about 2 miles southeast of Norwalk. A large machine shed was demolished while a nearby house was left untouched. At the next residence on the road, a large barn and smaller shed were demolished. The roof of the house was peeled up several inches and the wall unit air conditioner was blown into the living room.
6	1	2000	1402-1411 CST	Cataract 3SW to Cataract 3SE	None	4.5	125	0	0	F1
			This tornado sheared off trees, demolished barns and sheds, caused light structural damage to a house, and tossed farm equipment and debris about 600 to 700 yards. It crossed Highway 27 moving west to east.
4	24	1994	1535 CST	Cataract 1N	None	0.5	50	0	0	F1
			Thirty trees, a barn, and a picnic shelter were damaged.
5	8	1988	1430-1512 CST	Cashton 1NE to Warrens 5W	None	27	800	0	0	F2
			This tornado mainly crossed rural areas of the county. Several farms and barns were destroyed or heavily damaged.
6	26	1986	2017-2025 CST	Sparta 5W to Sparta 2.5N	None	5.5	100	0	0	F2
			A tornado skipped along a 5½ mile path, first touching down near Highway 15 about 5 miles west of Sparta, and moved northeast. It lifted a large roof from a machine shed, heavily damaged 2 buildings, and destroyed a small windmill. Associated thunderstorm winds leveled trees and damaged roofs on neighboring farms, and also blew down a pole barn and tipped a RV over. As much as 4 inches of rain caused $750,000 worth of soil damage and marble size hail led to $236,000 worth of crop damage.
8	12	1985	1835-1905 CST	Kendall 1S to Castle Rock Lake	Juneau	22	880	2	22	F2
			A killer tornado set down south of Kendall (Monroe County), destroying a barn and damaging a home before moving northeast into Juneau County. The tornado moved from the countryside into New Lisbon, ripping through a trailer court on the northern edge of town before dissipating on the north edge of Castle Rock Lake. A couple was killed and 22 others were injured in Juneau County. Seventeen of the 35 mobile homes were destroyed while 3 homes and a gasoline station just north of the trailer court were damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were downed, including 100 acres of forest at Buckhorn State Park. Over $620,000 in damage occurred. This was known as the New Lisbon tornado.
5	10	1979	1815 CST	Tomah	None	0.2	?	0	0	F2
			A tornado touched down briefly in the town of Tomah.
8	30	1974	1700 CST	Leon	None	0.3	15	0	0	F0
			A tornado touched down in the town of Leon which is about 5 miles south of Sparta.
6	14	1974	1600 CST	Monroe/Jackson County Line southeast of Shamrock to Camp McCoy	None	9	35	0	0	F1
			A tornado touched down southeast of Shamrock along the Monroe and Jackson county line and moved southeast to Camp McCoy.
7	18	1971	1400 CST	Melrose 2S to Cataract	Jackson	10	100	0	0	F2
			Several barns were destroyed.
8	6	1968	2014 CST	Norwalk	None	0.5	?	0	0	F0
			A touched down briefly near Norwalk.
7	15	1965	2012 CST	Cataract 4SE	None	1	?	0	0	F1
4	11	1965	1614 CST	Tomah 4.5W	None	2	200	0	0	F2
			Farm buildings of one farm destroyed.
8	28	1960	1615 CST	Sparta 8N	None	0.5	50	0	0	F2
			A barn was leveled.
4	19	1957	2015 CST	Kendall 1NW	None	8	400	0	0	F3
			Small buildings were destroyed on about a dozen farms. On three farms, all buildings were destroyed except the house. On one farm, only the kitchen was left standing. Farm animals were killed.
5	23	1933	1500 CST	Reno 5S to Sparta	Houston (MN) La Crosse Vernon	35	100	0	3	F2
			A family of two or three small tornadoes moved northeast from the southeast corner of Houston County, passing 3 miles south of Coon Valley and ending near Sparta. Two tornadoes may have actually crossed the Mississippi River. A dozen barns and farm houses were unroofed, mostly near Coon Valley (Vernon Co.).
5	1	1930	1930 CST	Holmen 2S to Tomah	La Crosse	33	100	0	15	F3
			This tornado started south of Holmen (La Crosse County) and skipped east into Monroe County. Most of the damage was north of West Salem (La Crosse County) and the west and north edges of Sparta (Monroe County). Homes and barns were destroyed. Damage estimates were $150,000.
8	11	1907	0730 CST	La Crosse to Tomah	La Crosse	30	?	0	2	?
			A tornado tracked from near La Crosse eastward along where Interstate 90 is currently toward Tomah. Property damage was estimated at $100,000.
7	3	1907	1700 CST	Neillsville 12SW to Elroy 1NE	Clark Jackson Juneau Sauk	55	800	11	40	F4
			Most likely a family of tornadoes, they tracked south-southeast crossing a total of 5 counties. At least 20 homes were leveled. Three people were killed just outside of Oakdale (Monroe Co.) A hundred people were left homeless in town. Four people died at "Tunnel Siding" north of Elroy. At least four, and possibly six, people were killed north of Tomah.
6	6	1906	1900 CST	Sparta 2SE	None	15	100	0	0	F2
			This tornado moved north-northeast to near the Jackson County border. The worse damage was east of Angelo, where "trees and barns were torn to shreds". About a dozen farms were damaged.
6	11	1880	?	?	None	?	?	?	?	?
7	23	1853	?	?	None	?	?	?	?	?
8	16	1852	?	?	None	?	?	?	?	?
* The data in this table came from *Storm Data,* *Significant Tornadoes--1680-1991* by Thomas P. Grazulis, and *Wisconsin Tornado Database 1950-2000* Geographic Techniques Report No. ST-WTDB01. ** Injuries and Deaths are for the entire tornado track.

Last Updated Sunday, April 26, 2020- Jeff Boyne

ARX RSS Feed