Severe Storms Cause Tornado Warnings Across Upper Midwest

Mayville, Wisconsin – Severe storms roared through Western Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota on Thursday evening, prompting multiple tornado warnings and significant damage. The storms, which included damaging wind gusts, affected several communities throughout the Upper Midwest.

Rescue teams reported extensive damage in towns like Juneau and Mayville, around 60 miles northeast of Madison, where tornado-warned storms struck at approximately 6 p.m. local time. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that numerous buildings were destroyed, and one person was hospitalized with minor injuries.

In Juneau, photos showed extensive damage with uprooted trees and debris blocking roads. The Mayville Fire Department responded to multiple gas leaks and structural damage in buildings as emergency crews worked through the aftermath of the storm.

Two emergency shelters opened in the region for residents whose homes suffered major damage. Reports detailed heavy power outages affecting Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties, with electricity expected to remain disrupted for days due to snapped utility poles.

“Things can be replaced, but people can’t,” said Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt during an evening briefing, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

Tornado sightings were confirmed in other areas, including New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Danvers, Minnesota, with eyewitnesses describing rope-like tornado formations. Many reports to the Storm Prediction Center included instances of hail the size of hen eggs.

Strong winds reaching nearly 80 mph swept through the Upper Midwest. As a precaution, a concert featuring Beyoncé at Soldier Field in Chicago was delayed from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to ensure attendee safety.

As the storms passed through the metro area of Minneapolis, minor tornado sightings occurred, but no touchdowns were logged. The high winds and thunderstorms extended into Michigan and Indiana, delivering further damage reports throughout those states. Preliminary reports indicated over 300,000 people without power as the storms moved east.