WAUSAU (WKOW) -- Weather officials have confirmed that a tornado touched down in Marathon County near Wausau. They say it was on the ground intermittently for about five minutes.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or major structural damage. A Wisconsin State Patrol officer saw the tornado at around 7:00 p.m. The National Weather Service reports that the tornado moved quickly and lifted off the ground about two miles north west of Rib Mountain State Park. Local authorities are surveying the area and have seen several downed trees.
In Western Wisconsin the damage was significant. Big trees were uprooted in Eau Claire and one even landed on a car at a downtown park. Strong winds also took down a 200-foot tall radio tower, knocking seven stations off the air. Officials say no one was hurt.
A number of counties in South Central Wisconsin also saw trees knocked down, causing thousands of power outages. Winds got up to about 50 miles per hour and brought a tree down on a Middleton day care. According to a voice message from the owner, no one was hurt but the tree did cause damage.
Grant County Fire Departments battled several blazes fueled by Thursday's strong winds.
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MADISON (WKOW) -- As of 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service has canceled the Tornado Watch for Juneau and Adams counties.
The NWS also canceled a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect for several counties in southern Wisconsin.
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MADISON (WKOW) -- Have your weather radios ready to go on Thursday as severe weather is possible.
As of 3:40 p.m., two counties are under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m.: Adams and Juneau counties.
Several counties are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m: Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties.
There's also a Wind Advisory until 7 p.m. It'll be windy with a period of thunderstorms this evening. Some of the storms may be severe with damaging winds.
High winds have already knocked down a tree at a Middleton daycare. The Little Cottage Daycare on University Ave. will be closed Friday. In a voicemail, the owners say the tree did some property damage but no one was injured. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, they hope to re-open next Tuesday.
27 Storm Track Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier is tracking the storms. We'll have the latest on www.wkow.com and on 27 News at 5, 6, 6:30 and 10.
If you have any pictures of the storms you'd like to share, please send them to connect@wkow.com.
Tree down in Baraboo. Sent by Danielle Lama
Baraboo
Eau Claire
