Tornado Causes Extensive Damage in Nearby SW Wisconsin
Clean up continues in nearby Southwest Wisconsin, after an EF-3 tornado caused widespread destruction in the community of Boscobel.
The twister touched down shortly after 5pm Saturday. National Weather Service officials estimate the peak winds at about 160 mph. The tornado traveled 10 and a half miles through grant county, and was approximately 1,100 yards wide.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported.
About two dozen homes were destroyed, and many more received some damage.
Numerous outbuildings in rural Grant County were blown down.
Volunteers responded the next day, and began cleanup. A local cemetery had major damage; workers estimate it will take about 2 weeks to clear the downed trees and repair a few of the tombstones.
More than enough people volunteered in taking part in the cleanup around the city. Officials are now taking names of area residents who would like to help in some way.
Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds rolled over Iowa last (Sunday) night, according to meteorologist Andrew Ansorge at the National Weather Service in Johnston.
"We do have a report of a tornado about half way between Fort Dodge and Harcourt around 11:30 last evening," Ansorge says. "That's the only tornado report we've had. We've heard lots of reports of funnel clouds but no real damage that we've heard of at this time."
There's since been a second tornado confirmed in northwest Iowa's Osceola County, just before five o'clock last night that ripped the roof off a chicken barn in Ocheyedan, though no injuries are reported. Ansorge say there's another chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday.
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