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EF3 Tornado Hits Wisconsin, Damaging 75 Homes; Flood Warnings Issued

4/19/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On April 17, an EF3 tornado struck Ringle in Marathon County, damaging or destroying at least 75 homes.
First responders rescued several trapped individuals, and no injuries were reported.
Two additional tornadoes touched down in Racine County.
As of April 18, multiple counties remained under flood warnings, following a week of extreme weather including flooding and hail, with evacuation orders in Shiocton and New London due to rising river levels.

History

Historical Context

The Tri-State Tornado on March 18, 1925, devastated Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people and injuring over 2,000. This catastrophic event led to advancements in tornado forecasting by the National Weather Service. The recent EF3 tornado in Ringle, Wisconsin, which damaged 75 homes, highlights ongoing challenges in tornado-prone areas, exacerbated by climate change and increasing severe weather events.

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Story summary

On April 17, an EF3 tornado struck Ringle in Marathon County, damaging or destroying at least 75 homes.
First responders rescued several trapped individuals, and no injuries were reported.
Two additional tornadoes touched down in Racine County.
As of April 18, multiple counties remained under flood warnings, following a week of extreme weather including flooding and hail, with evacuation orders in Shiocton and New London due to rising river levels.

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