National Weather Service confirms 3 tornadoes in Coulee Region on May 21

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLCX) – The National Weather Service in La Crosse has confirmed a trio of tornadoes touched down in the Coulee Region on May 21.

Nobody was hurt by any of the tornadoes, which caused damage to smaller structures and trees.

The three tornadoes were part of a large storm system affecting the Midwest. In total, six confirmed tornadoes happened in Wisconsin May 21, including the three north of the La Crosse area.

Tornado #1: Rollingstone, Minn.

The first tornado traveled from rural Winona County, Minnesota across the Mississippi River into Wisconsin, ending at Merrick State Park northwest of Fountain City. The EF1 tornado had peak winds of 105mph and spent 14 minutes on the ground, traveling 18.3 miles.

We have also confirmed an EF1 tornado in Winona County from last evening, which impacted the Rollingstone, MN area. Estimated peak winds were 105 mph. Additional details are expected to be provided later this afternoon once the survey team completes its assessment.

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) May 22, 2024

NWS officials said that the tornado knocked down trees and power lines, along with a few barns and outbuildings.

Tornado #2: Cochrane, Wis.

The second tornado happened almost as the first tornado was wrapping up near Fountain City, with a short overlap. The two tornadoes were six miles apart. The Cochrane tornado was also rated at EF1 and had peak winds of 90mph, staying on the ground for about three minutes. It traveled just under four miles, ending in the bluffs northeast of Cochrane.

We've confirmed a 3rd tornado from last evening. A brief EF1 tornado developed and dissipated within Buffalo County near Cochrane, WI. Estimated peak winds 90 mph. Additional details are expected to be provided later this afternoon once the survey team completes its assessment.

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) May 22, 2024

NWS officials said the tornado damaged trees, power lines, and a few barns and outbuildings during its short time on the ground.

Tornado #3: Arcadia, Wis.

The third tornado happened about 20 minutes after the first two tornadoes ended, and was about 20 miles east as well. The EF1-rated tornado was only on the ground for about a minute, traveling only about a third of a mile up a bluff on Burlington Road. The tornado, which happened about five miles east of Arcadia, packed peak winds of 95mph.

Our office has confirmed a 4th tornado in our warning area from last evening. This was a very brief EF1 tornado that touched down about 5 miles east of Arcadia, WI in Trempealeau County. It lasted only a minute but had maximum estimated winds of 95 mph.

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) May 22, 2024

NWS officials said the brief tornado affected a couple of structures and some trees in the area.

Wisconsin total: 7 confirmed tornadoes on May 21

In addition to the Rollingstone, Minn., Cochrane, and Arcadia tornadoes, four more touched down in central and eastern Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service offices in La Crosse and Green Bay confirmed an EF1 tornado went through the Village of Unity about an hour after the first three tornadoes in western Wisconsin. The tornado damaged buildings and trees. It traveled 4.23 miles in about three minutes, with a peak wind of 105mph.

The folks in Unity were hit hard by storms last night, with a tornado touching down in their community. Today, they’re rallying together to clean up and support each other.

The state will continue to help assist all affected communities in any way we can as they work to recover. pic.twitter.com/8zOxXv3c18

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) May 22, 2024

Another EF1 tornado happened just northwest of the Village of Edgar. This storm damaged some structures, including a collapsed barn, and was on the ground about three minutes. It had peak winds of 90mph and traveled about 3.5 miles.

An EF1 tornado happened in Kaukauna, damaging garages, a roof, and trees before ending near the Fox River. This tornado had peak winds of 95mph and was on the ground for four minutes, traveling 1.36 miles.

A seventh EF1 tornado happened in Augusta in Eau Claire County. The tornado had a peak wind of 90mph and traveled 10 miles, lasting 11 minutes. The tornado went from downtown Augusta to a few miles northeast of Lake Eau Claire.

Another quick update. The tornado's preliminary rating is EF-1 with a max wind speed of 90mph. Path width/length TBD. https://t.co/m2pTwkK0eD

— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 23, 2024

None of the storms Tuesday resulted in any injuries.

All of the tornado survey data is considered preliminary, according to the National Weather Service offices in La Crosse, Minneapolis, and Green Bay.