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Worst outbreak since 2005: At least 16 tornadoes statewide; 11 in southeast Wisconsin Tuesday

Published  August 30, 2018 5:51am CDT
Weather
Associated Press


Deputy captures tornado in Fond du Lac County

Deputy captures tornado in Fond du Lac County




SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN -- The buzz of chain saws could be heard around Wisconsin Thursday as residents worked to clean up from this week's damaging storms.

The National Weather Service said there were 16 tornadoes statewide on Tuesday, Aug. 28; 11 of them in southeast Wisconsin.

Here's a breakdown of the NWS confirmed tornadoes from Tuesday, Aug. 28:




    There were also five tornadoes outside of the FOX6 viewing area. They include the following:




      Gov. Scott Walker surveyed damage in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties on Thursday morning. He declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday, authorizing state agencies and the Wisconsin National Guard to help local governments with recovery efforts.

      Despite a day of quieter weather Wednesday, flood warnings remained in effect for the Milwaukee River in Ozaukee County, the Crawfish River at Milford, the Rock River at Waupun, the Wisconsin River at Portage, the Baraboo River in Sauk County and the La Crosse River in La Crosse County.

      State emergency officials said some areas have received more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain over the past two weeks. Communities across the state were still wrestling with flooded roads, downed trees and power outages late Wednesday evening.

      Getter said emergency officials had to evacuate about 15 people in North Freedom and Rock Springs early Thursday morning as the Baraboo River continued to rise.

      In southeastern Minnesota, torrential rain washed away an entire hillside near Como Falls, a waterfall on Thompson Creek in Hokah. Local authorities said the picturesque waterfall is gone and that a handful of nearby houses are in danger of being flooded.

      Forecasts call for more thunderstorms to move into region Friday evening.

      "We're hopeful the storms will stay down in Illinois or other areas," Getter said. "It's pretty wet, pretty bad. Today's going to be just clean up and sandbagging efforts."

      More surveys are planned for the rest of Fond du Lac County along with Sheboygan, Green Lake, and Marquette Counties Thursday and possibly Friday.