Last week, Juneau and surrounding areas were struck by severe weather, including multiple tornadoes [[[1],[2]]. The Juneau Fire Department is sharing the details of thier intense night responding to these devastating tornadoes,including an EF-2 that carved a 9.2-mile path through the region [[[2]]. Discover how first responders navigated downed power lines, building collapses, and gas leaks to ensure the safety of the Juneau community.
(Juneau) The Juneau Fire Department details their night responding to the severe weather and multiple tornadoes that hit the area last week Thursday. Two twisters touched down in and around the city. One was an EF-2 that traveled 9.2-miles. The other was an EF-1 that touched down near the Dodge County Airport.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Dodge County at 5:27pm. Juneau Fire Chief Ed Weiss says within 30 seconds, tornado sirens were sounding and as protocol the department sent two crews to pre-determined locations to act as weather spotters.
At 5:51, the county’s dispatch center notified the agency of a possible tornado hitting a house at W6499 Hillcrest Road. When crews arrived, the house was still standing, and the occupants evacuated to a neighbor’s home. Dispatch then reported that the Trailview Adult Family Home was hit by a twister.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the building’s roof was off and that the three residents had safely evacuated. At 6:14, Juneau Fire was notified that a roof had collapsed at 497 North Main and a person was trapped. First responders initially had issues getting to the home due to downed trees and power lines.
A Horicon firefighter and a sheriff’s deputy were able to get the person out of the house, and the individual was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Meanwhile, crews responded to a gas leak at 491 North Main, which was quickly isolated.
Juneau Fire also assisted the city’s utilities department until around 10pm. All units eventually returned to the station around 11pm.
Chief Weiss says the events of that day show the importance of having a battery powered weather radio and a backup power bank to charge cell phones.
