On Wednesday, July 16, four tornadoes struck southern Wisconsin, with one particularly powerful EF-1 tornado causing significant damage in Dodgeville. The storm tore a 6.95-mile path across Iowa County farmland, leaving behind structural damage.
Details of the Tornadoes in Southern Wisconsin
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Milwaukee/Sullivan, the tornadoes touched down between 12:20 p.m. and 3:33 p.m. on July 16, impacting Iowa, Dane, and Dodge counties. The most damaging tornado was an EF-1 in Dodgeville, with peak winds reaching 95 mph and a path width of 150 yards. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported, but building damage was noted in the area.
Dane County was affected by an EF-0 tornado southeast of Sauk City at 1:15 p.m., with winds up to 80 mph. Dodge County experienced two EF-0 tornadoes: one near Beaver Dam around 3 p.m. and another near Hustisford shortly after, each with winds between 60–70 mph. The majority of the damage included downed trees, damaged crops, and disrupted utility lines.
Safety Precautions and Cleanup Efforts
With cleanup still underway, residents are advised to stay weather-aware. Emergency managers are urging people to secure outdoor items, avoid downed power lines, and report any damaged utility lines to authorities. It’s also important to monitor NOAA Weather Radio for any updates or lingering risks from the storms.
The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates following further damage surveys.
While the tornadoes that hit southern Wisconsin caused significant property damage, no injuries or deaths were reported. The affected areas are now in the process of recovery, with residents urged to remain vigilant and stay informed about any further weather risks.
