EF2 Tornado — Rock, Wisconsin

2024-06-22 · near Afton, Rock, Wisconsin

Event narrative

The tornado began just west of Murray Rd, north of Bass Creek where portions of several trees were snapped. The tornado quickly grew, moved to the east-northeast and produced damage rated EF-1 neighborhoods near Loch Lomond park. EF-2 damage was noted at a residence on the east side of county highway D where well over one hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued to the northeast, crossing the Rock River, Highway 11 and Highway 51 producing damage rated EF-1. The second area of EF-2 damage was noted a neighborhood just northwest of Burbank Park, where a house lost its roof and a portion of its second story. The roof was found to the north-northwest over a block away. The tornado continued northeast crossing Beloit Ave. and ending in the fields to the west of South Read Rd. Damage along the majority of the path was rated EF-1. Tree damage was substantial with well over 1000 trees that were snapped, uprooted or had large sections damaged. Roof damage on several structures included shingle loss, occasional loss of roof decking material, peeled or dislodged siding and other facia and soffit peeling and removal. A few structure sustained damage to walls when their garage doors were breached. Numerous power poles were leaning, with several snapped.

Wider weather episode

Severe thunderstorms developed across western Wisconsin and moved eastward across southern Wisconsin through the afternoon and evening hours on June 22nd due to passing low pressure and its approaching cold front. There were supercell thunderstorms along with bowing segments along this line which lead to multiple areas of damage. Two strong tornadoes occurred, which were rated EF-2 near Argyle and through the south side of Janesville. Many reports of flash flooding were received due to torrential rainfall and slow storm movement or the training of thunderstorms. One of the other issues for this event was that it occurred on a Saturday evening where numerous large events were occurring which ended up cancelling or postponing to a later date.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.6301, -89.1105)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1179309. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.