Tornadoes and Hail in Wisconsin, May 30 to 31, 1998

A series of thunderstorms roared across the area late on May 30 and early on the 31st, causing about $1.8 million dollars in damage and injuring two people. Two tornadoes were also reported.One of the hardest hit areas was in Big Eau Pleine Park, about 8 miles west-southwest of Mosinee (Marathon co.). Thunderstorm winds from a downburst gusted to as high as 85 mph, flattening or damaging trees in a 200 yard wide and 1/2 mile long swath. One person was injured, suffering a broken leg. Several campers and vehicles were also damaged or destroyed. The same thunderstorm produced a brief tornado 4 miles west of Mosinee.In Winnebago county, high winds over 80 mph damaged 25 mobile homes around Menasha, overturning one of them. One of the occupants was slightly injured. Trees fell on several homes as well. In Pickett, winds of 70 mph were accompanied by 1 inch diameter hail.Calumet county was particularly hard hit, as well. Winds over 85 mph hit near Sherwood, where two barns were destroyed and two houses sustained damage. A garage at one of the residences was completely removed from its foundation and tipped on its side. A few minutes earlier from a different thunderstorm, a tornado touched down near Stockbridge, destroying a garage and silo, damaging two barns and overturning farm vehicles. A 2-by-4 was driven through the exterior wall of a house, narrowly missing one of the sleeping children. Damage in Calumet county alone topped $800,000.