A powerful thunderstorm tracked across northwest Wisconsin during the early evening of May 16th. The storm produced a strong, 83 mile long track tornado which affected 4 counties. This is the longest track tornado ever to have occurred in Wisconsin since official National Weather Service records which began in 1950.
The tornado also tracked for 83 miles, making it the longest tornado in WI since at least modern tornado documentation began in 1950. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/AxN0TWMcHO
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 24, 2017
[Credit: YouTube/Branden Bodendorfer via Storyful]
[Radar image from National Weather Service in Chanhassen, MN at 5:30 p.m., May 16th]
The tornado first developed over southeastern Polk County, east of Clear Lake, then tracked mostly eastward across southern Barron and southern Rusk counties, to the southwest part of Price County. One hard hit area occurred just north of Chetek, WI where high-end EF2 damage was found. The greatest damage that was observed occurred north of the Village of Conrath, Rusk County. A family home was completely collapsed down to the foundation and was rated EF-3 (140 mph). The remainder of the tornadoes path ranged from EF0 to EF1 with mainly tree damage, and mostly minor structural damage.
Upon further evidence, the 5/16/17 NW WI tornado is upgraded to EF-3 with 140 mph winds. A home was completely destroyed near Conrath. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/RJnaSGZ9i2
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 24, 2017
Sheriff: 'A miracle' tornado was not more deadly https://t.co/8a25IRl4NO pic.twitter.com/nnPiWvqGcz
— KARE 11 (@kare11) May 18, 2017
TORNADO: Viewers sending in pictures & video of a tornado that was spotted between Barron & Rice Lake. #wiwx #News18https://t.co/vkllNB3isO pic.twitter.com/D0K5ximVYl
— WQOW News 18 (@WQOW) May 16, 2017
One person died and 25 were injured from the tornado. It was on the ground for 84 minutes, from 5:42 p.m. to 7:06 p.m. The Barron County Sheriff’s department says initial damage estimates are near $10 million dollars with 231 homes and 4 commercial properties damaged in the county.
[Damage near Chetek, WI. Credit: National Weather Service Chanhassen, MN]
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels