National Weather Service: EF-1 tornado caused damage in Rock, Walworth counties Saturday



WALWORTH COUNTY -- The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado caused damage in Rock and Walworth counties on Saturday afternoon, July 18th.

Showers and thunderstorms moved across the state on Saturday morning -- and again on Saturday afternoon.

Storms Saturday morning, July 18th - 4:00 a.m. through 7:30 a.m.) - COURTESY: National Weather Service



Storms Saturday morning, July 18th - 5:03 a.m. through 7:32 a.m.) - COURTESY: National Weather Service



Storms Saturday afternoon, July 18th - 12:33 p.m. through 3:59 p.m.) - COURTESY: National Weather Service



Storms Saturday afternoon, July 18th - (1:06 p.m. through 3:33 p.m.) - COURTESY: National Weather Service



The National Weather Service says there were many reports of straight-lined winds damage, and storm survey results indicate a tornado caused damage in East Central Rock County into West Central Walworth County from 2:40 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. (between Janesville and Elkhorn).

Barn damaged by Saturday storms (July 18th) in Avalon/Johnstown area in Rock County - COURTESY: National Weather Service



This tornado was an EF-1, with winds up to 100 miles-per-hour -- according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado was about 50 yards wide, with a path of about five miles.

The National Weather Service says there were two main areas of EF-1 damage, with farm field damage in between.

Storm damage (shed collapse) in far western Walworth County, just north of Darien - COURTESY: National Weather Service



Path of confirmed EF-1 tornado in Rock, Walworth counties Saturday, July 18th - COURTESY: National Weather Service



Tornado in Rock, Walworth counties Saturday, July 18th as seen on radar - COURTESY: National Weather Service



No injuries were reported in association with these storms.

The Krause family on Sunday was busy cleaning up the damage left behind by Saturday's storms.

"We started checking messages. Everyone said 'you gotta come home.  A tornado hit your house,'" Christina Krause said.

Krause family home



Luckily, the house made it through the storm with little damage.

"We did take some roof damage -- some holes.  I think it was from the flying debris probably," Krause said.

Their barn, however, blew over.

Krause family barn



"After I saw the damage, I thought it had to have been a tornado," Krause said.

Tornado damage



A home about a half-mile from Christina Krause's home was also damaged. On Sunday, shingles were saluting the sun, and paint cans and chairs once stored in a barn were tossed across the lawn.

FOX6 News found a windmill nearby that was untouched by the storm. The Krause family shared similar stories.

Windmill untouched by tornado



"We were told one of our picnic tables was out in the field -- but I got a new glass table, and somehow, in all this mess, the glass table survived," Krause said.

Christina Krause says she feels lucky -- with 30 family members and friends helping out on Sunday.

"It`s nice to know that you`re that cared for.  People just dropped things and came out here in this heat and helped us," Krause said.

Four big trees snapped in Krause's front yard.

We're told both families impacted by the storms are still waiting for insurance quotes, but they'll be able to stay in their homes in the meantime.

Tornado damage