Tornadoes Devastate the Midwest — What Just Happened in Wisconsin Will Break Your Heart

It’s been a tough, emotional few days across the Midwest. A wave of violent storms and tornadoes tore through several states, and many people are now waking up to destroyed homes, shattered towns, and heartbreaking losses.

Kentucky and Missouri Took a Hard Hit

Kentucky was hit especially hard. At least 19 people didn’t make it through the storm, most of them in Laurel County. It’s hard to even imagine what those families are going through right now. Homes were flattened, trees were ripped right out of the ground, and some entire streets were just wiped out.

Missouri is mourning too. Five people died in the St. Louis area, and two more in Scott County. First responders are doing everything they can — digging through debris, checking in on survivors, and trying to bring some order to the chaos.

Tornadoes Touch Down All Across Wisconsin

Here in Wisconsin, it’s been rough too. The National Weather Service confirmed 16 tornadoes across the state — and those are just the ones we know about so far.

These tornadoes weren’t the strongest out there, but with winds reaching over 100 mph, it doesn’t take much to do serious damage. Trees are down, barns are gone, power’s out in a lot of areas, and some families have lost everything.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where tornadoes touched down:

• 2 in Marquette County

• 2 in Green Lake County

• 9 in Fond du Lac County

• 1 each in Dodge, Sheboygan, and Manitowoc Counties

In Clark County, near the town of Loyal, another tornado swept through rural farmland. It hit hard, knocking out barns and tearing through power lines. Folks in that area described hearing a deep rumble — like a freight train — right before it hit.

Damage Everywhere, But So Is Kindness

There’s a lot of heartbreak out there right now. The photos don’t even do it justice — entire homes are just gone, belongings scattered across fields. But alongside all the loss, there’s also something really powerful happening: people showing up for each other.

Neighbors are out helping neighbors. Volunteers are delivering food, clearing debris, offering shelter. Even strangers are pitching in. It’s been overwhelming, in both the worst and best ways.

More Storms May Be Coming

Unfortunately, we’re not in the clear just yet. Weather experts are keeping a close eye on more storms expected to move across the central U.S. over the next few days. If you live in one of these areas, please stay alert. Keep your phone charged, listen for weather alerts, and don’t wait to take cover if things start turning.

And if you’re safe and able to help, even a small gesture can make a huge difference right now.