Wisconsin Ag Connection - Sunday Storms May Have Produced a Record 10 Tornadoes

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Sunday Storms May Have Produced a Record 10 Tornadoes
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/12/2011

That powerful storm system that moved through the nation's midsection over the weekend caused what may be a record-breaking ten tornadoes in Wisconsin on Sunday.

According to weather experts, a strong low pressure system moved from South Dakota to northern Wisconsin, moving warm, moist air into the state, which was followed by a cold front, producing the storms.

"It's one of the most significant tornado outbreaks in April," said Rich Mamrosh, meteorologist for the National Weather Service. He said if confirmed, the number of Sunday night storms may have broken a record for a single day in April in the state.

A tornado in Merrill caused widespread damage to homes and businesses. Governor Scott Walker was in the city last night to assess the damage. An emergency declaration has been made for the city of Kaukauna, where early estimates were that 157 homes had been either damaged or destroyed Sunday night.

And in Waushara County, numerous trees and power lines are down. The damage is generally in an area from Hancock to between Wautoma and Wild Rose to Saxeville to the Bloomfield/Poy Sippi area.

Meanwhile, storms caused damage in other portions of the Midwest and south over the weekend. Iowa governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency after a storm Saturday that destroyed over half the town of Mapleton, but left no one seriously injured among its 1,200 residents, according to local law enforcement. Other major storms wreaked havoc in areas of Texas and Tennessee.

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