The afternoon of Tuesday, July 5th, two areas of thunderstorms that developed across west central Minnesota, moved southeast across central and southern Minnesota, and into portions of west central Wisconsin.
The southern storm affected the southern part of the Twin Cities metro area during the late afternoon, and moved eastward into west central Wisconsin from near Prescott and Hager City to Eau Claire Wisconsin by early evening. These storms produced damaging winds and two tornadoes near Plum City and Porcupine.
The hardest hit areas were in Pierce County from Prescott and Bay City, eastward to Ellsworth, Salem and Maiden Rock. Hundreds of trees were blown down with some structural damage to bridges near Ellsworth and home damage in Plum City. Local law enforcement officers reported a swept away trailer house at Highway 10 and 490th Avenue in the Town of Salem. There was also damage to a milking parlor in Ellsworth where 3 feet of water filled the calf barn.
The Pepin County Emergency Manager released a press statement that provided detailed information on widespread damage throughout the county. There was also structural damage to homes and agricultural, and at least three commercial properties in the Town of Waubeek's business park were damaged.
In addition to structural damage to homes and businesses, crop damage was extensive and the local emergency management submitted a disaster report based
on the widespread nature of the damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:28:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESDAILE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous trees were downed from a storm that would go on to produce a tornado at Nugget Lake (see separate entry for the tornado). Local law enforcement officials also indicated a trailer house was blown over at Highway 10 and 490th Avenue in the Town of Salem.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:40:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLUM CITY
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A mesocyclone originated in Pierce County and caused widespread downburst damage across a 1.5 mile wide area.  It knocked down many hundreds of trees, and partially removed the roof off of one house.  The mesocyclone continued into Pepin County, where it continued to produce wind damage and then a tornado (see separate entries for Pepin County).

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 17:56:00 to 05-JUL-16 17:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVER FALLS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An eight inch diameter tree was blown down near River Falls.

Thunderstorm Wind in DUNN, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:45:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAU GALLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Minor damage occurred in the southwest corner of Dunn County. The area most affected was Eau Galle township, south of County Road P, to the county line. High winds blew down a cattle barn at N739 County Road D in Eau Galle.

Tornado in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:35:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLUM CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado touched down on the north end of Nugget Lake, knocking down trees. There was also downburst damage near the tornado (see separate entry for the wind damage).

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 18:07:00 to 05-JUL-16 18:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRESCOTT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported several large trees, up to 10-12 inches in diameter, blown down east of Prescott.

Tornado in PEPIN, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:48:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORCUPINE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado was embedded within a broader mesocyclone that was sometimes three miles wide (see separate entry for the wind damage from the mesocyclone).  The tornado itself moved east, hitting two farmsteads where barns and sheds were destroyed. The tornado also produced a narrow corridor of uprooted and snapped trees. It dissipated just as it was exiting Pepin County.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEPIN, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:45:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORCUPINE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A mesocyclone that was sometimes three miles wide caused widespread wind damage, knocking down trees, destroying sheds and causing other building damage.  The downburst wind damage from the mesocyclone was mostly spread across a 1.5 mile wide area, but occasionally reached a width of three miles.  There was also a tornado embedded within the mesocyclone (see separate entry for the tornado).

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:36:00 to 05-JUL-16 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: (RGK)RED WING REGIONAL AIRPORT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured wind gust at the Red Wing airport. Several trees were downed in Hager City, with some landing on vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 18:35:00 to 05-JUL-16 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLSWORTH
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered trees and power lines were blown down, mainly just east and southeast of Ellsworth.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEPIN, WISCONSIN
From 05-JUL-16 19:52:00 to 05-JUL-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARKANSAW
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Significant straight line wind damage occurred west and northwest of Durand, in the Towns of Waterville and Waubeek.  Trees were downed from several miles west of Arkansaw to north-northwest of Durand, near Highway 25.  Some of the worst damage was near County Road D and Highway 25. Damage occurred to a roof which came off of a storage shed, as well as damage to Eau Galle Cheese Factory, plus a few campers in Dick's RV lot.