A multi-day thunderstorm and heavy rain event will impact the south-central U.S. this Memorial Day weekend. Severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, severe gusts, and a possible tornado or two across portions of the central and southern Plains through Monday. The threat for heavy to excessive rainfall and possible flash flooding will return to the south-central U.S., especially in the Ozarks. Read More >
A brief tornado touched down around 10:15 p.m. in Abbotsford, Wisconsin when a line of thunderstorms moved through the area. Most of the damage was confined along Highway 29 two to three blocks west of downtown. Numerous trees were sheared off or blown down, along with minor damage to nearby homes.
The biggest damage was a large feed mill that was demolished. Debris was rotated into a nearby car dealership, damaging 15 cars. Utility poles were sheared off and tossed, and a railroad crossing guard was also twisted off and thrown. One power pole was tossed through a car window, while yet another car was picked up on to another.
An electric generator from the feed mill was thrown roughly two blocks, damaging the front of a building downtown, before coming to rest on a minivan, demolishing it.
There were two minor injuries reported.
The Abbotsford/Colby Police Department sounded the outdoor warning sirens before the storm hit. Those interviewed said they heard the sirens and/or heard the warning via local television and radio.