Severe thunderstorms rolled across southern Wisconsin on Sunday, spawning a tornado that ripped the roof off an elementary school, toppled trees and knocked out power.
The twister touched down shortly before 3 p.m. in Hartford, a town of 8,200 people about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Mayor Scott Henke said Sunday evening an initial count showed there was significant damage to the school, about 10 businesses and 50 homes.
As for injuries, he said one area resident suffered a broken hip in a fall while rushing to his basement in response to the storm warnings.
City Councilwoman Jacki Lokken said she saw a funnel cloud while driving home from the grocery store.
“I was actually driving right in its path,” she said. “I drove north a little bit and watched it as it headed southeast. That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.”
The Lincoln Elementary School roof was damaged and a wall of a motel collapsed, The National Weather Service said.
More than 140 customers were without power, said We Energies spokeswoman Wendy Parks.
Elsewhere, there were numerous reports of funnel clouds across the area but no damage reported, the weather service said.