As the Coulee Region cleaned up after a storm system that spawned tornadoes and 70-mph winds Tuesday night, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity, the National Weather Service warned of more of the same.
While the entire Coulee Region faces the threat of damaging winds and large hail late this afternoon and throughout the evening, that threat will be most intense west of the Mississippi River.
Tuesday night’s storm system downed trees and power lines, and damaged buildings.
Onalaska was hardest hit, with numerous trees down and one house badly damaged. The National Weather Service recorded 68 mph winds at the La Crosse Regional Airport around 10 p.m.
Some of the worst damage was reported in Wabasha County, Minn., where a tornado touched down around 8:30 p.m., snapping off trees. Across the Mississippi River in Buffalo County winds downed trees and destroyed a machine shed.
Xcel Energy said about 1,500 customers in western Wisconsin were without power Wednesday morning, down from a peak of about 2,600. About 1,100 customers in the La Crosse area were affected.
Picture: Erika Daily, LA Crosse Tribune
Tribune staff Jul 7, 2016
