Madison, Wis. – Four EF-2 tornadoes tore across Dodge County on May 15, damaging homes and infrastructure from Juneau to Mayville during a severe thunderstorm outbreak that produced at least seven confirmed tornadoes in southern Wisconsin.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, the strongest tornadoes reached estimated peak winds of 120 mph, with path lengths up to nearly 12 miles. Juneau saw the most extensive track at 11.76 miles long and 500 yards wide. One injury was reported, but no fatalities.
In Mayville, a separate EF-2 tornado struck just minutes later, carving a 9.44-mile path through town and causing structural damage. Three additional EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed in Lowell, Lomira, and north of Juneau, each with winds between 90–95 mph. Sauk and Columbia counties also recorded brief and weaker tornadoes, including an EF-0 in Rock Springs and an unclassified touchdown near Portage.
The NWS warned that some residents had turned off Wireless Emergency Alerts, which delayed life-saving warnings. “Please consider leaving these on,” officials said in a statement.
More surveys are underway to determine if additional tornadoes touched down. The NWS urges residents to remain weather-aware as May’s storm season continues.
