Power Outage in Somers, WI

Law enforcement officials reported numerous trees and power lines down across far eastern Kenosha County from severe thunderstorm winds that gusted up to 75 mph (65 knots) as estimated by a trained spotter. A 31-year-old man riding a motorcycle was killed when a tree blew over on him in the 7600 block of 25th Avenue. A Pleasant Prairie woman injured her hip when she was struck by debris form a shed. Two other residents of the City of Kenosha were injured when they touched live wires brought down by the strong winds. Many large branches were also broken off by the powerful winds, which also damaged several homes. Officials estimate 500 to 800 trees were destroyed or badly damaged by the winds.

An EF1 tornado developed about 0.95 mile north of Somers, about 2300 feet southwest of the intersection of County Highway KR (County Line Road) and County Highway EA (72nd Avenue). The tornado moved northeast just under one-half mile in Kenosha County before crossing into southern Racine County about 1.34 miles northeast of Somers at the intersection of CTH EA and County Line Rd. While in Kenosha County it destroyed a 6-vehicle garage and damaged a nearby home, trees, and power lines. The tornado path averaged 50 yards in width, with a maximum width of 100 yards. The EF-rating was based on DI 27(TH) DOD 4 with estimated wind speeds up to 100 mph. The exact start location is Lat 42.66377 Lon -87.89961. The exact end location on the Kenosha-Racine County line is Lat 42.66901 Lon -87.89515. Property damage values were estimated.

Powerful thunderstorms winds knocked down large trees.

This tornado was the 2nd of two tornadoes to affect southeastern Wisconsin on January 7th. It spun up near the intersection of CTH L (18th St.) and 47th Ave. and moved east/northeast through the northern reaches of the city of Kenosha, and dissipated just north of Carthage College and just short of Lake Michigan. In the Civil Town of Somers it resulted in minor damage to 2 homes, and major damage to one home. In the City of Kenosha, it affected one home, inflicted minor damage to 21 homes, inflicted major damage to 6 homes, and destroyed 5 homes. Additionally, it destroyed one church in the City of Kenosha. Several power-lines were toppled and there were transformer explosions. Dozens of trees were damaged or uprooted. Average path width was about 50 yards. The maximum winds were estimated at around 95 mph (DI 27 - TH, DOD 3). This tornado was photographed and video taped. The specific starting location was 42.62399,-87.86591, and the ending location was 42.63127,-87.81820.

A powerful macroburst moved northeast through central Kenosha County and tore up dozens of trees, and damaged a number of powerlines. The width of the damage path was on the order of 5 to 6 miles. Estimated peak wind gusts were probably on the order of 74 knots (85 mph). A large tree in Bristol fell on a church, resulting in appreciable damage. In the civil town of Paris, on CTH D, a 10' by 50' part of a home's roof was ripped off.