1865 Viroqua tornado
-_1._Total_destruction_of_the_Methodist_Church;_2._Ruins_of_the_North-Western_Times_LCCN99614082.jpg) June 28, the almost entire destruction of the village of Viroqua (3 illustrations): 1. Total destruction of the Methodist Church; 2. Ruins of the North-Western Times Printing Office, and residence of J.A. Somerby; 3. General appearance of the country after the tornado, showing the track of the storm, and its terrible effects | |
| Formed | June 29, 1865 4:00 pm CST |
|---|---|
| Max. rating1 | Unrated tornado |
| Fatalities | 22 fatalities |
| Damage | unknown |
| Areas affected | Wisconsin |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale | |
The 1865 Viroqua tornado moved through western Wisconsin on Thursday, June 29, 1865. With at least 22 fatalities, it was one of the first deadly tornadoes recorded in Wisconsin after it became a state 17 years prior. Although the tornado was unrated, it is believed the intensity of the damage caused was similar to the kind that is caused by a violent F4 tornado on the Fujita scale.[1]
Synopsis
Approaching
Viroqua containing a teacher and 24 students. The building was lifted into the air "and dashed to ground", killing the teacher and eight students. Foot-square timbers were carried "long distances; tree tops were filled with feather beds, chairs, and clothing. All kinds of livestock were either dead or writhing on the points of broken branches; 20-ton rocks were rolled, lifted, and broken".[2][1]
See also
References
- ^ a b National Weather Service. "Tornadoes of June 28, 1865". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
- ^ Boyne, Jeff (January 22, 2006). "Vernon County (WI) Tornadoes". Tornadoes in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest and central Wisconsin. NWS - La Crosse. Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-06-04.