Tornadoes and Hail in Wisconsin, June 23, 2004

A strong tornado spun up about a half-mile east of Interstate 39/STH 51, near the intersection of Fawn Ct. and CTH M, or 3.5 NNW of Packwaukee. This tornado increased to F2 strength (estimated 140-150 mph) as it tore east/southeast through the southern part of Montello. Numerous trees were uprooted. Four homes were destroyed, 25 sustained major damage, and 142 had minor damage. In addition, 9 agricultural buildings were damaged or destroyed. The tornado ended in a swampy, Fox River bottom-land area about 4 miles southeast of Montello (1 mile short of the county line and south of CTH C and east STH 22). The responsible supercell also spun up a different tornado earlier in Adams County. Prop damage estimated at $1.0 M. Average path width was about 175 yards.

A brief tornado spun up along Old Settlers Rd., just south of the Township line (or about 0.2 mile south of of the intersection of Old Settlers Rd. and Katzenbuechel Rd.). One home had a couple windows damaged by flying debris, and several large trees were uprooted or twisted/sheared on a couple properties. The typical sequence of events was observed by the home's owner's - heavy rain and some wind, then calm, then the freight-train noise, and they could barely close the front door. The responsible supercell moved southeast toward Madison and eventually spun up another tornado on the southwest side of Madison.

A strong tornado spun up near the intersection of STH 73 and CTH H, about 2 miles north of the village of Manchester. It increased its strength to F3 (estimated 175-200 mph) as it moved southeast across the southern part of the city of Markesan. Numerous trees were uprooted. At least 18 homes or ag-buildings had minor damage, at least 9 homes or ag-buildings had major damage, and at least 21 homes or ag-buildings were destroyed. This tornado exited Green Lake County at a point 6.4 miles southeast of Markesan, just south of Lake Maria Rd., and continued southeast through Fond du Lac County. The responsible supercell also spun up different tornadoes earlier in Adams and Marquette Counties. Newspaper headline: "A Day Like No Other." Average path width was about 350 yards.

A weak F1 tornado (100-110 mph) spun up just west of the southwest Beltline at a point 2.5 miles SW of Middleton (half-mile north of intersection of CTH S and Pleasant View Rd.). It moved east-southeast across the West Town Mall, through the UW-Madison Research Park, ultimately ending about 1/3 mile east of STH 151/Park St (2.3 miles south of Capitol Square). In the Research Park many windows were blown out of business offices, and damage was inflicted to UW-MSN agricultural buildings. At least 194 residential homes had minor damage (roof/siding), and 11 had major damage (windows/roofs - total of $410K). At least 8 businesses had minor damage, and 1 had major damage (roof partially torn off and 1 wall damaged). Total business damage was about $246K. The UW-Madison Research Park had about $729K in damage. Many vehicles sustained some degree of damage ($100K), and one semi was blown over. At least 1000 large trees were damaged. Estimated total tornado damage is $1.485M. An additional cleanup cost of about $347K was reported. At least 2000 customers lost their electrical power. Average path width was about 150 yards.

A strong tornado spun up about a mile directly east of Lake Maria in southeastern Green Lake County, or about 4.2 miles SSE of Markesan, moved east along Sunny Drive with F3 strength (estimated 175-200), and exited Green Lake County along Mielke Rd., or about 6.8 miles SE of Markesan. Numerous trees were uprooted. At least 8 homes or ag-buildings had minor damage, at least 5 homes or ag-buildings had major damage, and at least 5 homes or ag-buildings were destroyed. Near the intersection of Sunny Drive and Pleasant Drive, two people and most basement items were "sucked" out of their home's basement while the home was being destroyed. The husband was found dead and his wife was critically injured. Average path width was about 275 yards.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that moved through the southern part of the city of Markesan (Green Lake Co.). It entered Fond du Lac County just south of Lake Maria Road, about 4.7 miles SW of Alto. It moved east-southeast on a line toward Waupun at F3 strength (estimated 175-200 mph), and actually merged with the Lake Maria tornado that moved east out of extreme southeastern Green Lake County. The merger took place just east of a dogleg/bend of Oak Grove Rd., about 2.2 miles SSW of Alto. The civil Town of Alto reported that 19 residential homes had major damage and 1 was destroyed. One business had major damage. Fourteen farms were affected with a tally of 8 ag-buildings/homes with minor damage, 19 with major damage, and 16 destroyed. Crop damage was severe. Public sector damage (roads/bridges) was about $225K. In the city of Waupun (Fond du Lac side), 4 homes had major damage, and roughly 150 had minor roof/siding damage due to severe tree damage. Average path width was about 300 yards.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that moved east from the Lake Maria area of extreme southeastern Green Lake County. It maintained its F3 strength (175-200 mph) and moved east along Marshview Rd, only to merge with the F3 tornado moving east/southeast out of the Markesan area of southeast Green Lake County. The merger took place just east of a dogleg/bend of Oak Grove Rd., about 2.2 miles SSW of Alto. The civil Town of Alto reported that 8 residential homes had major damage. Four farms were affected with a tally of 8 ag-buildings/homes with minor damage, 19 with major damage, and 16 destroyed. Crop damage was severe. Public sector damage (roads/bridges) was about $100K. Average path width was about 275 yards.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that moved east-southeast from Markesan (Green Lake Co.) through the southwest corner of Fond du Lac County (civil Town of Alto). In Dodge County it maintained its F3 strength (175-200 mph) as it moved east-southeast through the city of Waupun and through rural areas of northern Dodge County to a point 2 miles southeast of Lomira, where it dissipated just west of U.S. Highway 41. Many homes and vehicles in the Dodge County portion of Waupun were damaged. Toward Lomira, several dozens of agricultural buildings and homes were damage. Numerous trees were uprooted from Waupun to near Lomira, and some crop damage was noted. Estimated damage in Waupun was about $3M, and $2.5M in the civil Towns of Lomira and Le Roy. Average path width was about 300 yards.

A weak F1 tornado (90-100 mph) spun up about 6 miles southwest of Campbellsport in southern Fond du Lac County, at a point ½ mile east of the Dodge County line on Superior Drive. It tracked east-southeast to 4 miles south-southwest of Campbellsport and moved into Washington County where Lake Bernice Dr. intersects with ST. Kilian Dr. Mainly moderate tree and crop damage was noted, but one pole shed was destroyed. Average path width was about 125 yards.

This tornado (80-90 mph) was a continuation of the tornado that moved east-southeast from the area southwest of Campbellsport in southern Fond du Lac County. Originally this tornado was rated as F1 in Fond du Lac County, but after crossing the Washington/Fond du Lac County line near the intersection of Lake Bernice Dr. and St. Kilian Dr. it weakened to F0 status. It finally dissipated 1.5 miles northwest of Kewaskum, north of STH 28 and west of STH 45. Mainly light tree and crop damage was noted. Average path width was about 100 yards.

A very brief F0 tornado (50-60 mph) spun up 4 miles north-northeast of Jackson in an open rural area just north of STH 143 and east of CTH G, or 0.6 miles northwest of Keowns. The tornado traveled southeast 0.1 miles and dissipated. No damage was reported.

A weak F1 tornado (90-100 mph) spun up 1.8 miles east-southeast of Cold Springs and traveled east-southeast to the Jefferson/Walworth County line about 3.2 miles southwest of Palmyra. Shortly after it spun up this tornado destroyed a garage, one vehicle, a wind mill, and hay wagon. Later on, severely damaged a pole shed, damaged a couple vehicles, and suck a fair amount of insulation into a relatively new home that had closed windows and doors. Otherwise, many trees were uprooted or twisted. Average path width was about 125 yards.

This tornado is a continuation of the Jefferson County tornado. Once it crossed the Jefferson/Walworth County line about 7 miles east-northeast of Whitewater, or about 1 mile west of CTH H, this tornado continued east-southeast and dissipated a short time later 3 miles north-northwest of La Grange. Only tree damage was noted. Average path width was about 100 yards.