Daylight shows the devastation caused by tornadoes that swept through Wisconsin last night. More rain is complicating clean up today. Damage in Madison could be in the millions, officials said.
Many trees are still down on the city's west side, including on Gammon and Midvale roads and Whitney Way. Traffic lights were knocked out at some intersections, including Whitney Way and the beltline when the storm passed through around 8:30 p.m. Some streets remain closed.
Shoppers reported seeing a funnel cloud form near West Towne Mall. National Weather Service officials are in Wisconsin assessing the strength of the storm.
A wall at the Madison recycling center collapsed, and a semi next to it was blown onto its side, News 3 reported.
Power is still out in some neighborhoods near Park Street. Alliant and MGE crews are out taking care of live power lines that are down and possible gas leaks. Some homes are expected to be without power through Friday, officials said.
Madison police are asking that people stay away from damage areas.
Like many homeowners around the area, Danny and Paulette Guest of Madison have a mess to clean up. They are feeling lucky an enormous tree fell away from their Rusk Street home. (pictured, right)
The nearly 30-year old weeping willow split in half during last night's storms. Danny planted it as a sapling, nearly three decades ago.
University officials reports heavy damage at Charmany Instructional Facility, near Mineral Point and Rosa roads. No employees were injured. Officials said animals at the facility were "largely unscathed."
"We do have some major structural damage, but we were very fortunate that no one was hurt and that no animals were badly injured," says James Tracy, associate dean for research in the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Risk management officials were assessing the damage Thursday, but were not expected to have a damage estimate until next week. Mature trees were snapped off, electrical wires were down and debris was scattered over a large area. A large, metal-sided equipment shed had its roof and one end sheared off. A barn housing hay and feed was destroyed, and wind-tossed roof trusses appeared to have been hurled through the roof of an animal surgery center near the dairy barn, officials said.
Viewer Reports
Many viewers have e-mailed us with damage reports, especially from west Madison neighborhoods. Laura Brown said she heard a roaring sound just before the storm hit.
"I heard a roaring sound last night, just after the hail started, and just before the lights flickered and went off," writes Brown, who lives in Midvale Heights. "The large silver Maple in the neighbor's yard whipped around unbelievably, and has several branches twisted off. We were much more fortunate than the folks in the Westmorland neighborhood east of us."
Kevin Grabner reported damage at the Energy Center of Wisconsin on Science Drive in Madison.
"(The building) had its windows blown out," Grabner said. "We had a person in the office at the time -- trees down, twisted metal, broken glass, twig sticking out of back of building stucco wall, picnic table in a small tree, huge line of trees down across the street."
An Adams County viewer said those with summer homes there should check on their properties today.
"From Highway 13, south of Adams to Highway G in and around the Lake McGinnis area, we have roads block off," the viewer writes. "Trees are down and loads of homes are damaged by trees. Trailers tipped over. Irrigation systems spread over the fields. We have had help from all the surrounding counties sheriff departments and even State Patrol. Anyone who has a summer home in this area should check their cottage out. Many have been damaged."
Jim Neeb of Montello says his area was hit hard and is now a mess.
"Snowplows were used to clear the debris from the streets," Neeb writes. "The downtown has been hit recently with flooding waters ... Montello Lake, Buffalo Lake and the Fox River have flowed into basements, yards and businesses. Now, we have a new problem -- downed power lines and trees, as well as broken windows in the downtown area. The local grocery store and drug store lost their windows."
Anthony Miller of Adams writes it will take years to clean up the mess around his home.
"We live in a heavily wooded area between Easton and Adams, with trees right up to the house," Miller writes. "The storm hit fast and with marble-sized hail. All the trees are flattened, right up to our houses, it's a miracle that our house was barely touched. The trees are twisted and pulled from their roots (exposing a few feet of the roots)."
Miller says he knew right away it was a tornado.
"The clouds were layered visibly up to the stormhead, and the 'fog' layer at the lowest point was being sucked up into the upper level in a spiral," he writes. "At one point, a neighbor said it looked like a hurricane eye hanging just above the tree level. We went downstairs when we felt the sudden pressure change and the 'explosion' of wind and debris hit us. The porch went straight up into the air."
One Man Dies
Officials reported a funnel cloud near Fox Lake. Mount Horeb, Waunakee and parts of Madison reported quarter-sized hail.
A 53-year old man was killed near the Green Lake County community of Markesan -- his wife is hospitalized with injuries. Arnold Gallenbeck's body was found in a field near his house.
Adams County Tornado
There was a confirmed tornado in Easton Township in Adams County. Officials declared a state of emergency at 8 p.m.
A 1.5-mile area about 10 miles long is cordoned off about six miles south of the Adams in the towns of Easton and New Chester. State Highway 13 re-opened around 12:30 a.m., but the area west of State Highway 13 between county highways E and A remains closed in the town of Easton.
Non-residents are not allowed into the area.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is helping coordinate volunteers who can help move debris. To help, call (608) 339-4570 and leave you name, number and explain what assistance you can offer.
The Adams County Public Health Department is providing tetanus shots to residents and volunteers at the Lion's Park in Easton. The Salvation Army is coordinating with Adams County to manage a donation station at the Adams County Fairgrounds on County Highway J in the Village of Friendship. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are helping victims. To volunteer, call (608) 339-4547.
Waupun: State Of Emergency
The Waupun mayor declared a state of emergency Wednesday night for the second time in two weeks -- 60 percent of customers were without power Wednesday night.
Wisconsin Rapids police said they're dealing with many reports of downed lines and trees, and they don't yet know the extent of the damage.
Another area hard-hit is along Highway 186 between Wisconsin Rapids and Vesper.
The National Weather Service reported an apparent tornado touchdown in Stevens Point.
News 3 Forecast
The storm blew out of Dane County shortly after 9 p.m.
( Current Warnings/Watches )
Thursday's forecast calls for more rain. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected through Thursday night. Friday and the weekend look nice with partly sunny and pleasant conditions and highs in the 70s.
News 3 and Channel 3000 will have more coverage tonight.
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