Wisconsin experienced a barrage of severe weather on Thursday, May 15, 2025, with tornadoes, large hail, and widespread flooding impacting multiple counties. The storms triggered numerous tornado watches and warnings across the state.
Tornadoes and Hail
Tornado sightings were reported near New Richmond and Hammond in St. Croix County. A confirmed tornado was located over Juneau, traveling northeast. The storms brought wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail as large as half-dollar size.
Widespread Damage and Warnings
Several counties reported significant damage, including road closures in Chippewa Falls due to heavy flooding. Residents reported damage to vehicles from hail and broken windows. Tornado warnings in western Wisconsin expired by 7:03 p.m., but northeastern parts of the state remained under tornado watches until 10 p.m. Dodge County Emergency Management reported damage to Mayville High School and Mayville Engineering Co.
Looking Ahead
The severe weather was part of a weeklong event, with cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee bracing for very large hail, hurricane-force wind gusts and tornadoes. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and continues to monitor the situation.