Wisconsin Tornado Was a Record Setter

Undated (KROC AM News) - The tornado that killed one person, injured 25 others and devastated a mobile home park in northwest Wisconsin last week also set a record.

It was the longest tornado in the Badger state since official National Weather Service records began in 1950. It was also stronger than initially reported.

The Weather Service says surveys have determined the May 16th twister reached the EF-3 level with winds of 140 mph. It was on the ground for 83 miles, beating the previous record of 80 miles.

It touched down at 5:42 p.m. and stayed on the ground until 7:06 p.m. Its path included parts of Polk, Barron, Rusk and Price counties.

The tornado ripped through the Chetek area, where the mobile home park is located. Severe damage was also reported 40 miles away in the Village of Conrath.