Clark County Emergency Management Reminds Residents of Storm Danger

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 -- 10:01 AM

In the early morning hours of June 8, 1984, a F5 tornado devastated the village of Barneveld in Iowa County, killing nine people and injuring 200 others.

90 percent of the village was destroyed including 93 homes and almost every business or public building. For perspective, the tornado that hit Joplin, Mo. in 2011 had winds of 200 mph, while the Barneveld storm had winds of more than 300 mph.

Tornadoes rarely happen overnight and when the tornado dropped at 12:41 a.m. most residents were in bed. At its peak, the tornado was nearly a quarter-mile wide and travelled 36 miles. Damages exceeded $25 million.

According to Wisconsin Emergency Management and Clark County Emergency Management, the tornado was part of an outbreak that also brought tornadoes to the counties of Dane, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake, Iowa, Lafayette, and Price that ranged from an F1 to an F3.

Clark County Emergency Management reminds everyone that we’re in severe weather season. Storms can happen with little or no warning so please stay weather aware and be prepared to seek shelter if threatening weather approaches.

Having a source for information such as a NOAA All-Hazards Radio is an important tool to have available.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.