Tornado damage exceeds $20M in Rusk, Barron counties

June 03--Damage estimates from a May 16 tornado that swept through Rusk and Barron counties have exceeded $20 million.

Rusk County officials on Friday placed preliminary estimates at more than $11 million from the 30-mile path of destruction southwest of Weyerhaueser, south of Bruce and in the Conrath area.

According to a news release from Rusk County Emergency Management, nearly 100 residential properties were affected by the EF3 tornado causing more than $2 million in damage. Of those, 15 residences were destroyed and another 18 residences had major damage. Six commercial properties reported damage, and a number of agricultural buildings were damaged or destroyed, livestock and feed lost, and fencing damaged.

Estimated damage to public infrastructure is currently assessed as just under $1 million.

In Barron County, storm damage has been initially estimated at $10 million, including $5 million to personal property and the rest to commercial property. A total of 231 homes and four commercial properties across the county were reported damaged. One man was killed. Much of the damage and the death occurred at a mobile home park between Chetek and Cameron.

The federal Small Business Administration will tour the affected areas Tuesday in Rusk County to determine if damage meets the level needed to make SBA loans available to residential and commercial owners, the news release stated. Those who have not been contacted by Emergency Management regarding damage and insurance coverage are asked to call 715-532-2121.

More than 300 volunteers have put in more than 2,000 hours to help with cleanup in the storm's aftermath in Rusk County. Crews from the Wisconsin prison system have spent two weeks cutting up and removing debris.

Volunteers are still needed and should call 211 to help. Anyone needing help with cleanup should call the same number.

Donations are being accepted at Pioneer Bank and Ladysmith Federal, both in Ladysmith. Funds will continue to be used to support volunteer work, such as lunches and supplies.

Other donations of indoor and outdoor cleaning supplies, bedding, household goods, furniture and clothing are needed and will be accepted at Connections Store & More, 500 W. Ninth St N., Ladysmith.

Contact: 715-556-9018, pamela.powers@ecpc.com, @MenomonieBureau on Twitter

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