During the afternoon of May 22nd, severe thunderstorms developed along a cold front as it moved through western Wisconsin. These severe thunderstorms produced three confirmed tornadoes, two of which were rated as EF2 with the other being an EF1. The first tornado hit the southern sections of the city of La Crosse (La Crosse County) and caused an estimated 15 million dollars in damage where almost 200 buildings were damaged including 9 homes that were destroyed. The second tornado tracked from extreme eastern La Crosse County into Monroe County passing through the southern portions of Sparta (Monroe County). Considerable damage occurred in Sparta with a local car dealership sustaining damage to vehicles on the sales lot. The third tornado was on the ground for almost 65 miles as it tracked from eastern Monroe County, across northern Juneau County, through southern Wood County and into Portage County before dissipating. Damage estimates for this tornado in Monroe and Juneau Counties are close to 6 million dollars with most of this occurring in Juneau County where a cranberry farm was severely damaged.

Tornado in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:15:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUNNEL CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 510.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado first developed about 4 miles northwest of Tomah. It then proceeded to move east-northeast crossing Interstate 94 north of Tomah. A house and mobile home were destoyed north of Tomah and another house was significantly damaged northeast of Tomah. The tornado then passed through mainly wooded rural areas before crossing into Juneau County southwest of Mather. Damage estimates for this tornado are just over $500,000.

Hail in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:18:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: KIRBY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in CLARK, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:19:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORCHESTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:20:00 to 22-MAY-11 15:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 15.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado originally began in Houston County Minnesota and crossed into La Crosse near Target Lake. The first damage occurred on Green Island where numerous mature trees were snapped off and substantial damage occurred to the Green Island ice arena. The tornado then moved into a residential area where buildings sustained partial roof removal and garages were heavily damaged. Buildings in a small industrial area near the intersection of Green Bay Street and West Ave had walls partially collapse causing the roofs to subsequently collapse and a small apartment complex had its roof cleanly removed. After this, the tornado tracked primarily through residential areas until it dissipated causing mainly tree damage and light structural damage to homes and garages. An estimated 200 homes and businesses were damaged, 9 homes were destroyed and another 6 buildings condemned and uninhabitable. An emergency shelter was set up where up to 40 people sought refuge at times with 14 spending the night. This tornado was the first to hit the city of La Crosse since 1966 when a tornado moved across the airport. Total damages were estimated to be just over $15 million. An estimated 6,300 customers lost power as a result of the tornado.  There was not a single ambulance call right after the tornado, but some did occur during the following days during clean up.

Tornado in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:50:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 915.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado passed into Monroe county just east of Rockland (La Crosse County) and continued to the east-northeast before dissipating in the southeast portion of Sparta. Along its path, the tornado destroyed one home east of Rockland, demolished 4 mobile homes and created damage to at least 50 homes in Sparta. At a car dealership on the south side of Sparta, a car was tossed 40 feet and flipped upside down and a billboard sign was knocked over on to a truck. Total damages from this tornado are estimated to be around $900 thousand. An estimated 200 customers lost power in Sparta as a result of this tornado.

Hail in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 11:55:00 to 22-MAY-11 11:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERRINGTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Tornado in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:38:00 to 22-MAY-11 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATHER
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 4.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado entered into Juneau County southwest of Mather and then tracked northeast across the Necedah Wildlife Refuge between Mather and Finley damaging numerous trees. As the tornado approached Finley, it grew in size and was nearly a half mile wide as it crossed County Road F east of Finley. In this area, numerous trees were snapped or blown down with some of them landing on nearby homes. At a cranberry business east of Finley, all of the outbuildings and sheds were demolished and tossed into nearby fields and a loading deck platform and trucks were heavily damaged. Thick wooden power poles in this area were snapped or sheared off over a half mile long stretch. The tornado then weakened as it moved northeast toward the Wood-Juneau County line with damage to trees and some minor roof and siding damage. Total damages across Juneau county from this tornado were estimated to be $4.4 million.

Hail in CLARK, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 12:45:00 to 22-MAY-11 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEILLSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 13:14:00 to 22-MAY-11 13:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELROY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 13:30:00 to 22-MAY-11 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAUSTON NW LSBN ARPT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:51:00 to 22-MAY-11 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOAZ
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe thunderstorm produced hail ranging in size from a quarter up to golf ball as it tracked across central Richland County northwest of Richland Center.

Hail in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 13:44:00 to 22-MAY-11 13:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEMONWEIR
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to baseball sized hail fell just east of Mauston.

Hail in ADAMS, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 13:52:00 to 22-MAY-11 13:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG FLATS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:07:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: EASTMAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree was blown over onto a house. The house sustained substantial damage from the impact of the tree and the wind also blew out several windows.

Thunderstorm Wind in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:26:00 to 22-MAY-11 15:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Magnitude: 76.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

This wind gust was measured near 16th Street and Denton in La Crosse as the tornado passed by. The anemometer is at a height of 35 feet.

Hail in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 13:02:00 to 22-MAY-11 13:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOMAH BLOYER FLD ARP
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in ADAMS, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 14:02:00 to 22-MAY-11 14:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIENDSHIP
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several car windshields were cracked by the hail.

Funnel Cloud in TAYLOR, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:00:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNIBAL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:45:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASSWOOD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Farm outbuildings were blown down over a road.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:58:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHLAND CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Extensive tree damage occurred on the east side of Richland Center.

Hail in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:24:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORWAY RIDGE
Magnitude: 3.75 
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Hail estimated to be between 3.5 and 4 inches in diameter was produced by the tornado producing severe thunderstorm as it moved across northeast Monroe County.

Hail in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 16:31:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORWAY RIDGE
Magnitude: 2.25 
Property damage: 18.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Large hail fell on Highway 173 near Norway Ridge in far northeast Monroe County.

Tornado in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:47:00 to 22-MAY-11 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

For the short time this tornado was in La Crosse County, it produced mainly tree and some minor building damage. The tornado tracked from just southwest of Rockland, toward the rest stop on the eastbound side of Interstate 90 before crossing into Monroe County.

Thunderstorm Wind in TAYLOR, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:46:00 to 22-MAY-11 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILMAN
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A sporadic path of wind damage was found from just outside of Gilman northeast to the Taylor/Price County line near County Road N. The damage consisted of several trees blown down, some of which blocked roads, and a power pole down along Babit Avenue near Gilman.

Hail in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:59:00 to 22-MAY-11 15:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARRE MILLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 22-MAY-11 15:27:00 to 22-MAY-11 15:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: ONALASKA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio