Sudden Warning Gives People Minutes To Act: 'Take Cover Now!'
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Nearly 16,000 people in Dodge County, Wisconsin, had only minutes to act on Wednesday afternoon after National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued an urgent tornado warning for the area.
"To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," the NWS warning issued by the Milwaukee office said. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."
Why It Matters
Unlike other weather hazards that can be forecast hours or days in advance, tornados often develop suddenly and provide only minutes for residents to seek protection. For those living in mobile homes, outdoors, or in vehicles, the risk is especially acute.
The warning in Dodge County instructed people to take immediate shelter amid a damaging tornado that was on the ground in the area. A hazards map from the NWS showed nearly 16,000 people inhabited the affected area.
A stock image of a tornado in a rural area.
A stock image of a tornado in a rural area.
JP Midwest Storm Chaser/Getty
What to Know
The confirmed tornado was sighted over Iron Ridge at 3:35 p.m. CDT on Wednesday afternoon. The storm system moved in a northeast direction at approximately 30 mph and had previously generated brief touchdowns as reported by trained spotters near Hustisford only minutes before.
The tornado warning remained in effect for east central Dodge County until 4 p.m. CDT, covering the communities of Mayville, Horicon, Juneau, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, and Woodland.
Residents in these areas were directed to move to basements or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and to avoid windows for their safety. Those outdoors, in mobile homes, or traveling by vehicle were instructed to seek substantial shelter immediately.
Hazards included a damaging tornado with the potential for flying debris, which the NWS warned would be dangerous to anyone not under shelter. Additional threats included damage to mobile homes, roofs, windows, and vehicles along the storm's path. Tree damage was also considered likely.
Hail of up to .75 inches accompanied the storm, further increasing threats to people and property.
Even though the tornado threat has expired, a tornado watch, severe thunderstorm warning and flash flood warning were still in place for central and eastern Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon.
NWS meteorologist Ben Miller told Newsweek the Milwaukee office has issued 15 tornado warnings so far on Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
Miller said: "There's another chance for a complex of storms to come through Saturday morning, but that's several days away. Once this moves through this evening, the next couple days look pretty nice."
NWS in a Wednesday forecast: "Great Lakes will continue to be the focus for
numerous thunderstorms from late Wednesday afternoon through Friday as
this front slowly pushes east southeastward. Heavy rains, isolated
flooding and isolated severe weather likely late this afternoon into early
this evening across the Mid-West, Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions."
What Happens Next
The tornado warning for east central Dodge County expired at 4 p.m. CDT, but additional severe weather could persist as storm systems progress through the area. NWS forecasters continued monitoring conditions, ready to issue further warnings or watches if necessary. Residents in affected regions have been cautioned to remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions and to follow further guidance from local authorities and meteorologists.
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