Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Wisconsin, August 28 to 31, 2018

A swath of widespread tree and crop damage across the southern portion of the county including Endeavor and Montello. Sections of trees and crops completely flattened, and some structural damage from fallen trees or due to the strong downburst winds. Various roads closed due to fallen trees. 2 million dollars in crop damage from straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding is estimated throughout the county for late August into early September.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just south of the Village of Oxford and crossed Fandrich St. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just south of Buffalo Lake and crossed County Rd D. Multiple trees uprooted and topped. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

A swath of widespread tree and crop damage across the southern portion of the county. Some structural damage from fallen trees or due to the strong downburst winds. Various roads closed due to fallen trees. Several reports of estimated winds of 70 to 75 mph but NWS storm survey reveals maximum winds around 100 mph in some areas.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just south of Lake Puckaway. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went east-southeast of the Village of Marquette and was just west of 73. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Several trees and branches down.

Several trees and branches down.

Flash flooding of streets in Portage with some cars stranded in flood waters.

Multiple trees and branches down in and around Fox Lake.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just north of the Town of Alto and crossed Hwy 49. Large farm buildings and sheds damaged with one of them destroyed. | Power poles leaning to the south along Hemp Rd. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

A quick 2.00-2.50 inches of rain during the onset of flooding on the Baraboo River from prior heavy rains, led to flash flooding in La Valle, Reedsburg, and locations in between along the Baraboo River. Evacuations occurred in a section of La Valle due to the flood waters. Other location across northern Sauk experienced street flooding in urban areas and lowland flooding in rural areas. Various roads and bridges remained closed from the prior heavy rains and flooding that had occurred. Additional roads and bridges were becoming inundated with high water from creeks and the Baraboo River in the far northwest portion of the county.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went through mainly rural areas southeast of Brandon. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went through rural areas northeast of Waupun and crossed Hwy 151. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

A swath of widespread tree and crop damage across the southern portion of the county. Sections of trees and crops completely flattened. Various roads closed due to fallen trees. The widespread wind damage and tornadoes caused structural damage to hundreds of homes, with affected damage to 200 homes, minor damage to 100 homes, major damage to 10 homes, and one home destroyed. One business sustained minor damage.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went through mainly rural areas southwest of Oakfield and crossed Kinwood Rd. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado was one of a cluster of 4 that occurred between Brownsville and South Byron and crossed County Rd Y. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This was the strongest tornado of the event and went just north of the Village of Brownsville. The worst damage was to a Canadian National Railway communications tower which was crumpled over. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just north of South Byron and went along County Road Y. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went through the southern side of the Village of Brownsville and ended at the Quadgraphics facility near Hwy 175. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This was the strongest tornado of the event and went just north of the Village of Brownsville. The worst damage was to a Canadian National Railway communications tower which was crumpled over. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well. EF2 Damage occurred with the tornado further south at the onset of the tornado with EF1 damage occurring at the tail end of the tornado in southern Fond du Lac county.

Many large trees and branches down including uprooted trees.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went through mainly rural areas east of South Byron and ending up south of Eden. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went southeast of the Village of Eden and crossed Hwy 45. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado started near Mullet Lake and pushed a barn off of its foundation south of the lake. As it approached County Road B, it hit a maintenance shed and tore off the roof. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

A swath of widespread tree and crop damage across the southern portion of the county. Sections of trees and crops completely flattened, and some structural damage from fallen trees or due to the strong downburst winds. Various roads closed due to fallen trees. Two semi-trucks were overturned on highway 57 in Waldo. The widespread wind damage and tornadoes caused structural damage to many homes with 70 homes sustaining affected damage, 3 homes with minor damage, 2 homes with major damage, one home destroyed, and 2 businesses with minor damage.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado went just east of Dundee Mountain and did some brief tree damage along Division Rd. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This tornado ended just north of Cascade and destroyed a horse barn near County Road N and S. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

Tornado was 1 of 19 tornadoes that occurred across central to east central Wisconsin on the afternoon of August 28th. This brief tornado went just west of Kohler Andrae State Park. Widespread straight line winds caused significant tree and crop damage across the county as well.

A swath of tree damage over several blocks including a large tree branch down on a home and a large tree uprooted.

A 1.5-2.0 foot diameter tree down on Barton Ave. at River Dr.

Flood levels continued to rapidly rise on the Baraboo River with near record crests reached in La Valle during the late morning hours on August 29th, and near record in Reedsburg late in the afternoon on August 29th. Evacuations continued in the early morning hours in La Valle on August 29th, while 10-15 persons were evacuated during the early morning hours on August 30th in Rock Springs and North Freedom. Many state and county highways, and bridges, were closed in the aforementioned communities near and along the Baraboo River. The Baraboo River also began to flood farther downstream in the Baraboo area. Other roads, bridges, and lowland areas across northern Sauk County remained flooded and closed from the heavy rains of the last several days. Overall, 116 homes sustained minor flood damage from late August into early September mainly in the communities of La Valle, Reedsburg, Rock Springs, and North Freedom. Many businesses also sustained minor flood damage in these communities.

Highway 127 closed due to flooding from the intersection of highway 127 and 16 near WI Dells, to the intersection of 127 and 16 near the Portage airport. Also, the westbound lane of I-90/94 was closed at the I-39 split south of Portage due to flooding. The flooding of the Baraboo River began to affect a trailer rental business, an auto auction business, and a road wayside park near the intersection of highway 33 and I-90/94.

Highway 23 closed at the Neenah Creek bridge 2 miles east of Briggsville due to the flooding of the creek.

The Montello River flooded portions of Montello as it flowed out of Lake Montello. Major flooding occurred and the Main St. bridge was closed due to the high water of the river impacting the bridge. Approximately, 150 homes and businesses were flooded. Much of the flooding occurred on or near Montello St., Island Dr., Park St., Main St., and portions of Cass St. The major flooding continued into September.

Flood levels were quickly rising on the lower Baraboo River basin and falling in the upper portions of the river basin. A near record crest of 27.6 feet occurred in Rock Springs during the late afternoon of August 31st, while a new record crest did occur in North Freedom at 25.3 feet. The river was approaching crest in West Baraboo late on August 31st. Many state and county highways, and bridges, were closed in the communities near and along the Baraboo River. Many homes and businesses sustained minor flood damage in these communities.