CHETEK, Wis. -- One person was killed and more than 25 people were injured tonight following tornadoes that hit northwestern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service says a supercell tracked across Polk, Barron, and Rusk counties late Tuesday afternoon spanning one or more tornadoes.
Barron County: One fatality, 25 injuries at the Prairie Lake Estate Mobile Park in Cameron. Approximately 40 trailer homes were destroyed by a tornado. A nearby turkey farm was also destroyed. A shelter and reception center is open in Cameron at the Mosaic Telephone Company.
Rusk County: The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touchdown in the Bruce area, near County Highway W and U.S. Highway 8. Emergency officials are reporting seven homes destroyed. There are no reports of injuries.
The National Weather Service will send Damage Survey Teams to the area Wednesday morning to assess the locations, strengths, and numbers of tornadoes. Parts of northwestern Wisconsin are expected to receive heavy rain tomorrow. Flood Warnings and Flood Watches have been issued for parts of the area.
The State Emergency Operations Center is open with Wisconsin Emergency Management, Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Administration and Wisconsin State Patrol.
This is video from our CNN partner WCCO of the devastation following that tornado that touched down in Chetek pic.twitter.com/jNBf4nCAOY
— WQOW News 18 (@WQOW) May 17, 2017
Our teams are rushing toward #chetek after a #tornado ripped through the area. Hug your loved ones in their honor.
— Red Cross WI (@RedCrossWIS) May 16, 2017
(Apparent tornado damage near Chetek, WI tonight. This is what's left of a turkey barn. Credit: Toby Kutrieb)
Last Update: May 16, 2017 10:49 pm CDT
