Minor Injuries, Limited Damage Reported After Saturday's Storms

Five People Hurt

Posted: 12:14 am CDT June 8, 2008

There are reports of only minor injuries caused by the tornadoes, high winds, and baseball-sized hail that blew through south-central Wisconsin on Saturday.

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Several tornadoes and powerful rain storms ripped through the area Saturday. A line of severe storms blew across central and southeastern Wisconsin. The storm had winds howling up to 70 mph that knocked off roofs and downed power lines.

Heavy rains also pelted the area, causing flash flooding.

One person was hurt as a result of damage at the Willow Mill Campground about two miles north of Rio. Four people in the Town of Randolph were injured by flying glass after the windows in a home exploded during the storm, WISC-TV reported.

There are unconfirmed reports that small tornadoes touched down east of Cottage Grove and near Marshall.

Damage is limited but there are reports of flooding in low-lying areas, downed power lines, and cable and telephone outages, authorities said.

Grant County officials also confirmed a twister on the ground near the Town of Woodman with no reports of injures or damage.

Hail and high winds were also reported in Rock County, but there were no reports of serious damage.

A shed was destroyed and a silo was also badly damaged in Columbia County Saturday, WISC-TV reported.

Columbia County Emergency Management reported that storms ripped roofs off several houses and that the eastern part of the county was hit hardest. Power outages were also reported throughout the county.

The Grant County dispatcher Chris Johll said the tornado touched down in a rural area and there were no injuries or damage reported. He said a deputy confirmed the tornado.

As in 2005, Stoughton was once again one of the hardest-hit areas, but the clean-up from Saturday's storms will be easier than it was three years ago when a tornado destroyed homes and killed one man who had sought refuge in his basement, WISC-TV reported.

The Stoughton Fire Department Chief Martin Lamers said that that Stark Automotive Dealership and a barn off of County Highway B sustained damage due to Saturday afternoon's storms. Christ Lutheran Church on Highway B sustained structural damage to the educational wing of the building. Two houses in the Greig Trail had their roofs blown off while other homes minor structural damage, according to officials. Emergency crews were at scene and assessing damage Saturday evening.

Saturday's storms also caused some area flash flooding. The National Weather Service reported that Highway 154 in Rock Springs and County Highway C in Sauk City are under water.

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A flash flood watch has been issued for Grant County from 7 p.m. Saturday through Sunday morning. A flash flood watch has also been issued for Dane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Rock, Sauk and Jefferson counties from 7 p.m. Saturday through Sunday evening. A flash flood warning means that flooding is occurring or imminent, and that people in the warned area should move to higher ground immediately.

Authorities in multiple counties confirmed tornado touchdowns, while the National Weather Service said it was working to validate those reports.

Click on the following links to receive e-mail or cell phone alerts for severe weather or school closing information.

For the latest weather information, visit Channel 3000's Weather section.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.

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