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Tornadoes in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest & central Wisconsin |
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| Background Information | Statistics (1850-Present) | Records (1850-Present) |
| Date | Time | Location | Other Counties Affected |
Length (miles) |
Width (yards) |
Deaths** | Injuries** | EF-Scale | ||
| Month | Day | Year | ||||||||
| 3 | 6 | 2017 | 2046-2050 CST | West Salem Airport 1S to West Salem 1.3S | None | 2.6 | 200 | 0 | 0 | EF0 |
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The tornado started just north of Barre Mills and rapidly moved northeast before dissipating south of West Salem. A broken damage path was found by the survey team. Along the path, the tornado snapped numerous trees, destroyed some small farm buildings, a silo, parts of several barns, removed part of the roof from one house, heavily damaged another and damaged the porch on a farm house. There was other damage along Interstate 90 that may have been related to this tornado.
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| 5 | 22 | 2011 | 1505-1600 CST | Rockland 1SW (La Crosse) to Sparta 1.8ENE (Monroe) | Monroe | 8.18 | 125 | 0 | 0 | EF1 |
| For the short time this tornado was in La Crosse County where it produced mainly tree and some minor building damage. The tornado tracked from just southwest of Rockland, toward the rest stop on the eastbound side of Interstate 90 before crossing into Monroe County. This tornado passed into Monroe county at 3:50 pm CST just east of Rockland (La Crosse County) and continued to the east-northeast before dissipating in the southeast portion of Sparta. Along its path, the tornado destroyed one home east of Rockland, demolished 4 mobile homes and created damage to at least 50 homes in Sparta. At a car dealership on the south side of Sparta, a car was tossed 40 feet and flipped upside down and a billboard sign was knocked over on to a truck. Total damages from this tornado are estimated to be around $920,000 ($5,000 in La Crosse County and the remainder Monroe County). An estimated 200 customers lost power in Sparta as a result of this tornado. More on this tornado can be found at the following web site: https://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=may2211 | ||||||||||
| 5 | 22 | 2011 | 1520-1528 CST | Mound Prairie 2.7S (Houston County, MN) to Herrington 1.4NNW (La Crosse County, WI) | Houston (MN) | 13.79 | 150 (Houston) 125 (LaCrosse) |
0 | 0 | EF2 |
| This EF2 tornado cut a path across northeast Houston County from around 5 miles southwest of Hokah, through the very southern part of Hokah to the Target Lake area southeast of La Crescent, before crossing the Mississippi River. Near the beginning of the track, significant damage to some residences, barns and farm out buildings occurred. In the same area, numerous 100 foot tall and 3 foot diameter trees were either uprooted or snapped off. Around a mile west of Hokah, 2 barns were significantly damaged and a residence received minor damage. Some minor roof damage and extensive tree damage was done on the south side of the town of Hokah. Tree damage was noted east of Hokah into the Mississippi River. Damages from the tornado were estimated to be almost $250 thousand.
Around 3:20 pm CST, the tornado crossed the Mississippi River into La Crosse near Target Lake. The first damage occurred on Green Island where numerous mature trees were snapped off and substantial damage occurred to the Green Island ice arena. The tornado then moved into a residential area where buildings sustained partial roof removal and garages were heavily damaged. Buildings in a small industrial area near the intersection of Green Bay Street and West Ave had walls partially collapse causing the roofs to subsequently collapse and a small apartment complex had its roof cleanly removed. After this, the tornado tracked primarily through residential areas until it dissipated causing mainly tree damage and light structural damage to homes and garages. An estimated 200 homes and businesses were damaged, 9 homes were destroyed and another 6 buildings condemned and uninhabitable. An emergency shelter was set up where up to 40 people sought refuge at times with 14 spending the night. This tornado was the first to hit the city of La Crosse since 1966 when a tornado moved across the airport. Total damages were estimated to be just over $15 million. An estimated 6,300 customers lost power as a result of the tornado. There was not a single ambulance call right after the tornado, but some did occur during the following days during clean up. Overall, this tornado was on the ground for almost 14 miles and it caused a total of $15.44 million. More on this tornado can be found at the following web site: https://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=may2211 |
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| 6 | 7 | 2008 | 1645-1655 CST | Barre Mills 2.4ENE to Middle Ridge 2.3N | None | 6 | 200 | 0 | 0 | EF1 |
| A tornado occurred at 4:45 p.m. CST in La Crosse County, WI, near Barre Mills and it was surveyed by a National Weather Service meteorologist on Sunday, June 8th. The tornado initially touched down just west of Russian Coulee Road approximately two miles east of Barre Mills (La Crosse County). There the tornado destroyed one metal barn and partially unroofed another. Much of the debris from the first barn was thrown to the north; however, some of its debris was scattered to the east for nearly a half mile up a hill. A family of five heard the tornado and they took cover in a basement. Fortunately no one was injured. The tornado then proceeded over a hill and moved through another farmstead. It destroyed a barn and unroofed much of the adjacent house. Both soft and hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. The tornado then moved through several wooded areas as it crossed County Road II, Antony Road, County Road II again, and then Highway 162 near Souchek Road. The path of this tornado was about 6 miles long with an average width of 600 feet. It has an EF1 rating (estimated wind speeds of 90 to 110 mph). Several nearby neighbors saw the tornado as it moved through both farmsteads. Property damage was estimated at $93,000 and agricultural damage was estimated at $10,000. | ||||||||||
| 9 | 13 | 2005 | 1417-1422 CST | Holmen 3N to Stevenstown 3SW | None | 2 | 65 | 0 | 0 | F1 |
| A tornado touched down near County Highway V between Holmen and Stevenstown (La Crosse County), knocking down several trees along Flatten and Mahlum Road. In fact, trees fell just ahead of and behind a school bus, which was stopped on Flatten Road. Other damage inlcuded a small boat being overturned and a fallen tree damaging a home on Mahlum Road. | ||||||||||
| 5 | 15 | 1998 | 1840-1844 CST | West Salem 3W to West Salem 2NW | None | 2 | 50 | 0 | 0 | F0 |
| A tornado touched down near Tims Hill between Onalaska and West Salem on Highway 16 shearing the tops of trees. Further northeast, the tornado crossed a ridge and demolished a barn northwest of West Salem injuring a woman inside. | ||||||||||
| 6 | 28 | 1995 | 1815 CST | Onalaska | None | 0.3 | 50 | 0 | 0 | F0 |
| A cold air funnel touched down and ripped off a swimming pool cover, tar paper, and blew twigs into the air some 200 feet. The tornado was said to have made a high pitch whistling noise and looked like a white pillar reaching about 300 feet into the air. | ||||||||||
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23 | 1981 | 1830 CST | Neshonoe Lake | None | 2 | ? | 0 | 0 | F1 |
| A tornado developed over Neshonoe Lake and moved southeast across the lake. It hit the Lakeview Farm and then moved southeast to County Highway B. | ||||||||||
| 6 | 5 | 1980 | 2010 CST | St. Joseph 2S to Coon Valley 1W | Vernon | 3 | 70 | 0 | 0 | F2 |
| Several barns and four homes were damaged. One home was unroofed. One barn was destroyed and nine cattle were killed. | ||||||||||
| 7 | 16 | 1972 | 1450 CST | Galesville 2S to New Amsterdam 3N | Trempealeau | 4.3 | 50 | 0 | 0 | F1 |
| A tornado touched down 2 miles southwest of Galesville. At 1605 CST, the tornado was observed by State Patrol deputies moving southeast across open country. | ||||||||||
| 6 | 15 | 1967 | 1700 CST | Mindoro 2E | None | 1 | 50 | 0 | 0 | F0 |
| A tornado moved east 2 miles east of Mindoro. | ||||||||||
| 7 | 10 | 1966 | 2100 CST | Near La Crosse | None | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1 | F1 |
| This tornado overturned two airplanes at the La Crosse Airport. This tornado was part of a much larger tornado outbreak. Between 4 PM CST on July 10th through 430 AM on July 11th, 16 tornadoes (4 in Minnesota, 10 in Wisconsin, and 2 in Indiana) touched down from central Minnesota southeast into Indiana. These tornadoes developed along the leading edge of a squall line. Winds associated with this line were in the 50 to 60 mph range. | ||||||||||
| 7 | 10 | 1966 | 2100 CST | Near Onalaska | None | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | F1 |
| This tornado was part of a much larger tornado outbreak. Between 4 PM CST on July 10th through 430 AM on July 11th, 16 tornadoes (4 in Minnesota, 10 in Wisconsin, and 2 in Indiana) touched down from central Minnesota southeast into Indiana. These tornadoes developed along the leading edge of a squall line. Winds associated with this line were in the 50 to 60 mph range. | ||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 1965 | 2000-2020 CST | Money Creek 1NW to Mindoro 1W | Houston (MN) Winona (MN) |
30 | 150 | 0 | 1 | F3 |
| Moved east-northeast from northwest of Money Creek, crossing the Mississippi River near Dakota, MN, and passing between Mindoro and Stevenson, WI. Several barns and a brick school house were destroyed. A dozen Wisconsin farms lost buildings and 1 person (La Crosse County) was injured when a car was thrown 75 feet. | ||||||||||
| 5 | 14 | 1961 | 1350 CST | La Crosse | None | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | F2 |
| The tornado touched down several times as it moved north-northeast in the southeast part of La Crosse. It wrecked several garages and sheds, and also uprooted trees. | ||||||||||
| 4 | 19 | 1957 | 1430 CST | Holmen | None | 2.5 | 150 | 0 | 0 | F2 |
| 4 | 26 | 1954 | 1535 CST | Camp Decorah (between Holmen and Galesville) | None | 5.6 | ? | 0 | 0 |
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| 5 | 23 | 1933 | 1500 CST | Reno 5S to Sparta | Houston (MN) Monroe Vernon |
35 | 100 | 0 | 3 | F2 |
| A family of two or three small tornadoes moved northeast from the southeast corner of Houston County, passing 3 miles south of Coon Valley and ending near Sparta. Two tornadoes may have actually crossed the Mississippi River. A dozen barns and farm houses were unroofed, mostly near Coon Valley (Vernon Co.). | ||||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 1930 | 1930 CST | Holmen 2S to Tomah | Monroe | 33 | 100 | 0 | 15 | F3 |
| This tornado skipped into Monroe County. Most of the damage was north of West Salem and the west and north edges of Sparta (Monroe County). Homes and barns were destroyed. Damage estimates were $150,000. | ||||||||||
| 8 | 20 | 1928 | 1800 CST | New Amsterdam 3N to West Salem 2S | None | 15 | 400 | 0 | 3 | F3 |
| Three farm homes and five barns were destroyed. Many cattle were killed. Damage was estimated at $60,000. | ||||||||||
| 8 | 11 | 1907 | 0730 CST | La Crosse to Tomah | Monroe | 30 | ? | 0 | 2 | ? |
| A tornado tracked from near La Crosse eastward along where Interstate 90 is currently toward Tomah. Property damage was estimated at $100,000. | ||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 1906 | 1630-1830 CST | Burr Oak, IA to Stoddard, WI to Coon Valley 10NE | Fillmore (MN), Houston (MN), La Crosse (WI), Vernon (WI), Winneshiek (IA) | 55 | 400 | 4 | 18 | F4 |
| "The tornado was flrst observed in northeastern Iowa at 430 pm, near Burr Oak. A large brick home was destroyed southeast of Newhouse (Houston County.), just inside the Minnesota border. Clothes from the home were found over three miles away. One boy was severely injured, and may have died later. He had been closing windows on the second floor when the tornado struck. This tornado then continues east-northeast to near Reno, MN, and Stoddard, WI where it crossed the Mississippi River at 5:40 pm. It was last observed at 6:30 pm in the town of Washington, La Crosse County, WI, about 2 miles west of Portland. Its path curved slightly to the northward as it progressed, and was about 55 miles in length. It destroyed all buildings in its path, killed 4 persons and injured 18. A mother and two children were killed as their farm near Freeburg, MN was leveled. One child was carried about half a mile. The other death occurred 2 miles east of Stoddard. The property loss was estimated at $70,000, exclusive of timber and crops, but the latter were not damaged to any great extent, because they were not far advanced. The tornado was characterized by many peculiar and violent phenomena usual to these storms. There was comparatively little electrical display, nor was the rainfall unusual. Its crossing the river near Stoddard was marked by well defined waterspout formation, and it destroyed a heavy wooden railway bridge across the Raccoon Creek nearby. Its action on the steep bluffs and in the deep ravines that mark the banks of the river was peculiar in that the windward or southwest exposures suffered far less damage, as shown by prostrated timber, than did the northeast slopes, where the full vorticular effect was very evident; whereas the southwest slopes, instead of showiug trees thrown in all directions, as is usual, showed trees, with few exceptions, thrown to the left across the entire breadth of the track. Many of the trees on these southwest slopes were broken off 10 to 15 feet above the ground. Another peculiar feature was the decreased violence on the top of the bluffs, which are here about 400 feet above the valley, and the immediate resumption of full destructive effect, not only in the deep ravines, but on the lee side of steepest declivities. Such destruction as occurred on the tops of steep hills crossed by the storm was most apparent on the farther edge, where trees invarlably were thrown in the direction of the storm, probably caused by the air rushing toward the vortex when it had resumed full violence at lower levels. The path of the storm averaged about 400 yards wide where its action could be determined in the timber. The vortex was quite distinct and regular, and, compared with the height of the bluffs which it crossed, seemed about 800 feet high, rapidly widening at the top. The vorticular motion was plainly discernible. Hail fell on the northwest side of the track. It took something less than 2 hours to travel its course." Source: Monthly Weather Review, Volume 34, Issue 6 (June 1906) | ||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | 1905 | Unknown | La Crosse | None | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | F1 |
| This tornado touched down near La Crosse, crossing the Mississippi River, and just missed an excursion steamer with 500 people on board. | ||||||||||
| 7 | 24 | 1875 | 2040 CST | La Crosse | None | ? | ? | ? | 10 | F1 |
| A small tornado moved southeast across the city of La Crosse. Many homes had roof damage. A circus tent was torn apart with some injuries during the ensuing panic. | ||||||||||
| * The data in this table came from Storm Data, Significant Tornadoes--1680-1991 by Thomas P. Grazulis, and Wisconsin Tornado Database 1950-2000 Geographic Techniques Report No. ST-WTDB01. ** Injuries and Deaths are for the entire tornado track. |
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Last Updated Sunday, April 26, 2020 - Jeff Boyne
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