Wisconsin Tornado Damage: 120-140 MPH Twisters Hit Sussex Area, Union Center as New Warnings Issued
At least three verified tornadoes hit communities in Wisconsin on April 15, felling trees and causing damage to homes and a church, with more severe weather on the way.
"NWS Storm Survey has confirmed an EF1 tornado southwest of Endeavor (southwest Marquette County). Brief tornado had a 50 yard wide path," the National Weather Service's Milwaukee/Sullivan office wrote on April 15.
"NWS Storm Survey has confirmed an EF2 tornado in the Town of Lisbon (northern Waukesha County, just north of Sussex)," the NWS added. "Maximum winds 120 MPH, path length 3.2 miles and duration of 6 minutes. Storm Survey will head to East Troy next, then to areas nearby to assess damage there."
(Photo by Kayla Wolf/Getty Images)
In Union Center, Wisconsin, the tornado was even stronger. "An EF3 touched down west of Union Center at around 6 p.m. Tuesday, bringing significant damage to homes in its path," wrote Channel 3000. "Peak winds were estimated at 140 mph."
My photo of the home leveled west of Union Center, WI #wiwx https://t.co/GQebGZ0K1r pic.twitter.com/KToKglU8gQ
— Egan Young (@YoungWx07) April 15, 2026
The National Weather Service's Milwaukee/Sullivan office warns that there could be "another potential for severe storms" on Friday, April 17. The office also warned of the potential for more "rain "heavy rainfall" and flooding on Wednesday, April 15. "Some rivers may reach flood stage," NWS reported.
There Is a Chance of Another Wisconsin Tornado
Another day, another severe weather risk, though not as high end as Tuesday. The extent of the risk depends boundary placement. The further north the boundary moves, prepare for locally damaging wind gusts, hail to the size of quarters and perhaps a tornado. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/tchsGZx3CO
— NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) April 15, 2026
Will the April 15 weather produce another tornado? Possibly.
"Another day, another severe weather risk, though not as high end as Tuesday. The extent of the risk depends boundary placement. The further north the boundary moves, prepare for locally damaging wind gusts, hail to the size of quarters and perhaps a tornado," wrote NWS.
Wisconsin Tornado Videos Showed Damage to a Church in Sussex
Daylight reveals the scope of severe storm damage to a church, homes and businesses in Sussex after a possible tornado late Tuesday. @ChopperMatt has an exclusive look from above @WISN12News pic.twitter.com/HOhq75yKB4
— Gerron Jordan (@GerronJordan) April 15, 2026
Videos showed damage to the roof of a church in Sussex, Wisconsin, which is a community located in Waukesha County in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Video from viewer, Roberta, possibly showing tornado in Sussex tonight. #wiwx @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/v4Pf6GjNR3
— SUSAN KIM (@SusanKim4) April 15, 2026
WTMJ-TV anchor Susan Kim shared a viewer's video that may have captured the Sussex tornado.
Possibly the tornado in Sussex (could have been a rain curtain as well where the tornado was wrapped). This was a little after 6:30pm Tuesday from Mike P. pic.twitter.com/PWg9nxLhcu
— Tom Wachs, CBM (@Tom_Wachs) April 15, 2026
So I was 1 mile away from this tornado in Sussex pic.twitter.com/VldGKj3OO4
— Ali (@devlin0326) April 15, 2026
Other videos on social media showed the severe storm.
Wisconsin Sees 23 Tornadoes Per Year on Average, According to The National Weather Service
According to the National Weather Service, "Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes per year, with most tornadoes occurring in the 3 to 9 p.m. time-frame, particularly between 6 to 7 p.m. The peak tornado months in Wisconsin is May through August, with June having the highest number of documented tornadoes."
A record-setting 62 tornadoes "occurred in 2005, followed by 46 in 2010. In 2025, Wisconsin had 39 tornadoes, including 2 EF-Unknowns, 20 EF-0s, 13 EF-1s and 4 EF-2s. The "average" Wisconsin tornado has a 7 to 8 minute duration, a path length of about 4 to 5 miles, and a damage width of about 120 yards," according to NWS.
"Another hazard of the warm-season is powerful, straight-line thunderstorm winds that can peak at 75 to 150 mph. Every year Wisconsin will get a few storms that generate hurricane-force winds of at least 75 to 100 mph," the NWS noted. "Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued for these wind events, rather than Tornado Warnings. The bottom line is - if you don’t feel safe, head for a sturdy shelter, go the lowest level of the building, and get away from windows and exterior walls."
Other warm-season hazards "include large hail stones that can result in damage in the millions of dollars, localized flash floods or widespread river and lowland flooding, lightning, and excessive heat," the National Weather Service noted.