Post Messenger Recorder -

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28th, the Green County Sheriff's Department began receiving calls about damage that had been done by a strong thunderstorm, located approximately three miles south of the Village of Monticello, on State Highway 69. The highway between Monticello and Monroe was closed to through traffic due to the damage around 8:00 p.m..

The damage included several power poles and lines down in the roadway and a one-vehicle accident with injuries. Faith Engineering's building was also found to be damaged. Surveys done by emergency personnel in the area found even more damage in the Gutzmer and Thunder Road areas including downed trees, downed power lines and damage to homes and other buildings. The highway was reopened to traffic early Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, June 29th, the National Weather Service toured the area and confirmed that two EF1 tornadoes had touched down. One tornado began near the intersection of Cold Springs Road and State Highway 69 and traveled approximately two miles with a width of 300 yards with maximum winds of 105 mph, ending near the intersection of Sulzer and Feldt Road. The other tornado was on the ground for about half a mile approximately three miles south of the Village of Monticello, with a width of 150 yards and maximum wind speeds of 100 mph.

The storm also brought heavy rains to the area and caused flooding along the Little Sugar River including in the Village of Monticello. Some streets and county roads were closed due to flooding.

The Wisconsin DNR closed portions of the Badger State Trail and all of the Sugar River Trail due to the damage caused by the tornado and the storm. They expect clean up to take several days.

Green County Emergency Management is asking that you call them at (608) 328-9470 to report any damage done to your property or home by either tornado.

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