Trending Now - Midwest Tornadoes Cause Widespread Damage, No Casualties Reported
WHO:
The Weather Channel - Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall commented on the storm's impact.
The Weather Channel - Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb described the devastation in Wisconsin.
WHAT:
The Weather Channel - Tornadoes caused damage in more than a half dozen states in the Midwest on April 17th, 2026.
The Weather Channel - Lena, Illinois, reported the most damage, with buildings and schools affected.
The Weather Channel - At least 30 homes were damaged in Marion, Minnesota.
The Weather Channel - Buffalo County, Wisconsin, reported a tornado that tore off roofs and scattered debris.
The Weather Channel - No deaths were reported despite the extensive damage.
WHERE:
The Weather Channel - Lena, Illinois, located about 117 miles (188 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.
The Weather Channel - Rochester, Minnesota, experienced major damage from a tornado.
The Weather Channel - Marion, Minnesota, had at least 30 homes in the path of tornado damage.
The Weather Channel - Buffalo County, Wisconsin, and the city of Ringle also sustained damage.
The Weather Channel - Belton, Missouri, and Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, reported damage and road closures.
WHEN:
The Weather Channel - The tornado outbreak occurred on April 17th, 2026.
The Weather Channel - Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb made comments during a Friday night news conference on April 17th, 2026.
WHY:
The Weather Channel - The severe weather was attributed to tornadoes rolling through the Midwest.
HOW:
The Weather Channel - Emergency crews in Rochester, Minnesota, created a temporary shelter for displaced residents.
(UPDATED April 18, 2026 19:18 UTC)
on Friday, tornadoes caused significant damage across more than a half dozen states in the Midwest, with Lena, Illinois, experiencing the worst of it as buildings and schools were affected. Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb described the devastation in Wisconsin, where a tornado in Buffalo County tore off roofs and scattered debris, while at least 30 homes were damaged in Marion, Minnesota. Fortunately, despite the extensive destruction, no deaths were reported, and emergency crews in Rochester, Minnesota, set up a temporary shelter for those displaced by the storms.