Multiple tornadoes tore through Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin on Friday, leaving heavy damage in Lena, Illinois, and forcing evacuations in Rochester and Marion, Minnesota.
By Toby Adeyemi
4 hours ago
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Rochester Tornado Wreaks Havoc
Tornadoes rolled through several Midwest states on Friday, causing damage in more than a half dozen states.
Lena, Illinois, reported the most damage from tornadoes yesterday. Lena is a town of nearly 3,000 people, located about 117 miles (188 kilometers) northwest of Chicago. Buildings and schools were damaged by the severe weather, and debris blocked multiple roads in the area. It got to the point that the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media telling people to avoid going into Lena at all. Thankfully, despite all the damage, no deaths were reported.
“We are extremely fortunate that this storm did not result in loss of life or serious injury,” Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall said of the storm that hit Lena, Illinois, on Friday.
Officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota echoed those sentiments. Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb said during a Friday night news conference that this was the most devastation he has witnessed during his 34 years in law enforcement.
“A lot of people are going to need a lot of help,” Billeb said of the Wisconsin storms.
At least one tornado brought major damage to communities near Rochester, Minnesota. City officials and emergency crews had to move quickly yesterday as conditions in the city deteriorated quickly. They have already created a temporary shelter for displaced residents.
In Marion, Minnesota, at least 30 homes were in the path of tornado damage. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office asked city dwellers to avoid northeast Stewartville and the area of Marion Road Southeast between 50th Avenue Southeast and 30th Street Southeast due to severe storm damage. The county board even issued a disaster declaration.
Buffalo County in Wisconsin reported a tornado ripping through, tearing off roofs in the rural area and leaving debris scattered everywhere. Several homes were hit, and efforts to have power restored started after the storm passed. The city of Ringle also sustained damage to multiple homes in the area.
Across the Midwest region, more spaced-out damage reports have been coming in. In Belton, Missouri, homes and power lines were damaged, while in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, road closures were reported due to fallen trees and debris. The most serious threats have passed, but the risk is not completely over. Residents should continue to remain alert and pay attention to severe weather conditions throughout today.
