Wisconsin saw its first-ever recorded tornadoes in February, the usually frigid month, creating conditions typically seen in late spring or summer for severe weather.
These tornadoes wreaked havoc in rural areas on an exceptionally warm day -- leaving behind a trail of destruction, including dead and missing cows, demolished homes, and damaged vehicles.
At least two tornadoes were confirmed south of Madison and the National Weather Service was investigating reports of several more spawned from storms that swept across the southeastern part of the state around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, said meteorologist Taylor Patterson.
One confirmed tornado near Evansville was a “high end” F2, the weather service said. Those tornadoes are described as “significant,” with winds in this particular twister topping out at 135 mph (220 kph). It was on the ground for 36 minutes, traveling 24.5 miles (39.4 km) with a maximum width of 500 yards (457.2 meters).
Another tornado that touched down near Juda was an F1 with peak winds of 110 miles per hour (177 kph) and on the ground for 14 minutes, covering 8.35 miles (13.4 km) with a maximum width of 50 yards (45.7 meters), the weather service said.
There were no reports of significant injuries. Local emergency management officials reported dozens of buildings, power lines and other structures that were damaged in the path of the storm that formed in eastern Iowa and died out near Milwaukee. The temperature was a record high for the date: 59 degrees (15 Celsius).
Connie Arndt, 72, stood in disbelief Friday among the debris of a rental house she owned outside Evansville.
“All of us are in denial that this is February,” she said. “It’s an absolute shock.”
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