A destructive burst of strong winds and reported tornadoes across the Upper Midwest left rural communities Saturday sifting through the destruction that was left behind.
Damage was severe in some communities — roofs ripped off homes, power lines tangled, and roads impassable because of debris. However, no deaths were reported.
“We are extremely fortunate that this storm did not result in loss of life or serious injury,” said Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall regarding the storm that hit Lena, Illinois, on Friday. Officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota echoed those sentiments.
A tornado tore through Kronenwetter and Ringle in central Wisconsin on Friday afternoon, leaving damaged homes and some residents briefly trapped in their basements, according to Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman.
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb noted during a Friday night news conference that he had not witnessed such devastation in his 34 years of law enforcement.
“A lot of people are going to need a lot of help,” Billeb remarked, emphasizing the need for community support in light of the destruction.
Recovery from the storm will take a long time, Wisconsin state representative Brent Jacobson stated in a Saturday morning social media post.
“As the photos and videos continue to come in, it is clear that parts of Ringle and Kronenwetter suffered devastating damage,” Jacobson added.
In Olmsted County, Minnesota, sheriff’s officials reported “multiple levels” of damage from tornadoes, noting that at least 30 homes in Marion Township had sustained significant damage.
Personnel from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Rochester Fire, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office are going door-to-door to check on residents, affirming their commitment to assess the extent of the damage.
The National Weather Service indicated that the havoc was most likely caused by tornadoes and scheduled surveys of the affected areas for the weekend.
In Illinois, Leo Zach, a 14-year-old student, described his experience at a high school music competition where the building shook, and power went out. Students faced panic attacks, and later they found extensive damage, including blown-out windows and a torn roof.
Photos and videos shared online captured the extent of the destruction, illustrating the severity of the storms, which left many residents in shock.
Rachel Nemon recalled taking cover from the storm in a car wash while witnessing a large tree uprooted nearby. “This is something that you see online, not in real life, especially in a small town in Illinois,” she expressed.
Governor JB Pritzker announced on social media that he was informed about the damage and that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency was responding to the situation.
Damage was severe in some communities — roofs ripped off homes, power lines tangled, and roads impassable because of debris. However, no deaths were reported.
“We are extremely fortunate that this storm did not result in loss of life or serious injury,” said Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall regarding the storm that hit Lena, Illinois, on Friday. Officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota echoed those sentiments.
A tornado tore through Kronenwetter and Ringle in central Wisconsin on Friday afternoon, leaving damaged homes and some residents briefly trapped in their basements, according to Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman.
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb noted during a Friday night news conference that he had not witnessed such devastation in his 34 years of law enforcement.
“A lot of people are going to need a lot of help,” Billeb remarked, emphasizing the need for community support in light of the destruction.
Recovery from the storm will take a long time, Wisconsin state representative Brent Jacobson stated in a Saturday morning social media post.
“As the photos and videos continue to come in, it is clear that parts of Ringle and Kronenwetter suffered devastating damage,” Jacobson added.
In Olmsted County, Minnesota, sheriff’s officials reported “multiple levels” of damage from tornadoes, noting that at least 30 homes in Marion Township had sustained significant damage.
Personnel from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Rochester Fire, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office are going door-to-door to check on residents, affirming their commitment to assess the extent of the damage.
The National Weather Service indicated that the havoc was most likely caused by tornadoes and scheduled surveys of the affected areas for the weekend.
In Illinois, Leo Zach, a 14-year-old student, described his experience at a high school music competition where the building shook, and power went out. Students faced panic attacks, and later they found extensive damage, including blown-out windows and a torn roof.
Photos and videos shared online captured the extent of the destruction, illustrating the severity of the storms, which left many residents in shock.
Rachel Nemon recalled taking cover from the storm in a car wash while witnessing a large tree uprooted nearby. “This is something that you see online, not in real life, especially in a small town in Illinois,” she expressed.
Governor JB Pritzker announced on social media that he was informed about the damage and that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency was responding to the situation.
