School closed in Evansville, Wisconsin after February tornado, what to know about damage, roads

Damage ranging from minor to major, power outages and minor injuries have been reported following a tornado and severe storm that hit near Evansville Thursday night, according to Rock County authorities.

This marks the first time a tornado touched down in the state during February. The tornado was part of a storm system tracking across southern Wisconsin that has resulted in strong winds, lightning and hail.

Nearly two dozen local police, fire, paramedics and service organizations responded to reports of severe weather damage east and northeast of Evansville just before 6 p.m., according to an overnight news release from Rock County Sheriff's Office and Rock County Emergency Management.

Here's what to know about the damage, power outages, road closures and school closures following Thursday night's weather events:

School closures following tornado, storm near Evansville

All Evansville Community School District schools are closed Friday "due to the storms and loss of power," according to a Friday morning Facebook post from ECSD.

"Please stay safe!" the post said.

Damage following tornado, storm near Evansville

First responders discovered varying damage to several structures and outbuildings, a news release said.

On Thursday, Marcia Cronce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Sullivan, said reports had been made of power poles snapped, large trees down, roof damage to homes and damage to trailers.

Rock County Emergency Management and local partners have been conducting preliminary damage assessments Friday and are working to clear the area, a release said.

Residents are asked to cooperate with damage assessors, who will have identification.

Evacuated residents should not return to their properties at this time, a news release said. Non-evacuated residents are to report property damage to 211.

Residents will receive further information later Friday, a release said.

The Wisconsin Air Coordination Group is performing a flyover across the affected area. The Rock County Sheriff's Office is also flying drones to survey damage.

Power outages following tornado, storm near Evansville

Damage to power infrastructure caused outages from west of Edgerton to Footville, a release said. A warming shelter has been established at the Evansville Fire Station.

Much of the power for the City of Evansville and south has since been restored, said Captain Mark Thompson of the sheriff's office. But, other nearby "affected" areas remain without power, he said.

Road closures following tornado, storm near Evansville

Before 9 a.m., Highway 14 reopened for eastbound and westbound traffic, according to a news release. Several side roads remain closed "due to debris and other hazards."

"We will systematically start opening them back up as we get them cleared," Thompson said Friday morning.

Authorities are asking the public to avoid auxiliary roads.

Were there any injuries?

Minor injuries were reported due to the storm, a release said.

If you have been impacted by this storm and need resources, here's who to contact

If you have been impacted by the storm and are in need of resources, contact 211, a release said.

What do we know about the tornado that touched down near Evansville?

A radar confirmed a tornado touched down in Rock County near Evansville before tracking northwest of Edgerton and dissipating in southwest Jefferson County, just west of Fort Atkinson, weather service meteorologist Cronce said.

The category level of the tornado has not yet been determined, Jaclyn Anderson, a weather service meteorologist, said Friday morning. Crews will be out surveying the damage Friday.

While this is the first February tornado in Wisconsin, the state has seen three during the month of January. The most recent January tornado being in 2008, according to the National Weather Service.

Drake Bentley of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: School closures, road updates, damage after Evansville tornado