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A swath of destruction marked the landscape across the U.S. on Saturday, following a series of powerful winds and suspected tornadoes that swept through the region. The intense weather ripped roofs from houses, toppled trees, and made rural roads impassable with debris.
Despite the extensive damage, officials reported no fatalities from Friday’s storms, which tore through the Upper Midwest, marking the latest wave of severe weather to hit the area. Authorities have warned residents in several rural communities to prepare for a lengthy recovery process.
“We are incredibly fortunate that this storm did not result in any fatalities or serious injuries,” stated Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall, referring to the storm’s impact on Lena, Illinois.
Officials in both Wisconsin and Minnesota shared similar relief over the absence of casualties.
In central Wisconsin, a suspected tornado wreaked havoc in the cities of Kronenwetter and Ringle, leaving homes damaged and some residents temporarily trapped in their basements, reported Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman during a press briefing.
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb said he had not seen this much devastation during his 34 years in law enforcement.
“A lot of people are going to need a lot of help,” Billeb said.
In Kronenwetter, neighbors were helping each other clear debris from their properties, and Wisconsin Public Service was working to restore power. Police Chief Terry McHugh said it could be a lengthy process.
He noted that the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin has partnered with United Way of Marathon County to help residents whose homes were damaged.
In Olmsted County, Minnesota, sheriff’s officials said tornadoes caused “multiple levels” of damage. At least 30 homes were damaged in Marion Township, with a number of those sustaining damage that was described as significant. Officials went door to door to check on people.
The National Weather Service said the damage was likely caused by tornadoes and surveys of the affected areas would be conducted over the weekend.
On Friday in Illinois, Leo Zach, 14, had just gotten to the high school band room for a music competition when the building started shaking and the power went out. The room was packed with students, and some were very scared and had panic attacks.
“I’m definitely on the luckier side of how that could’ve happened,” he said. “I was just trying to stay calm, help other people.”
When they got outside, they found some of the windows blown out in the gym and part of the school’s roof ripped off.
Photos and video posted online showed a garage totaled, bricks torn from buildings and fences demolished.
Lena is a village of nearly 3,000 people, located about 117 miles (188 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.
Rachel Nemon was going to pick up her stepson from Lena’s middle school when she had to pull into a car wash to take cover from the storm. She watched a large tree get ripped from the ground and sparks fly feet in front of her.
“This is something that you see online, not in real life, especially in a small town in Illinois,” she said.