News: Clark Co. - Central Wis. (Tornado - 1971)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surname: Grewe

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 9/30/2015

Originally published in the Colby Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 1971

Damage estimates, uncertain a press time, may hit more than a million dollars as a result of a tremendous tornado which thundered through central Wisconsin late Tuesday afternoon. Only minor injuries and no loss of human life have been reported.

The tornado, which first touched down near Thorp, moved in a north-easterly direction, coming close to Owen, Curtiss, Dorchester and Athens in its path of destruction.

The path of destruction, about 25 miles long near Owen to east of Athens, included many farm buildings, some homes and businesses.

All public utilities in the area were knocked out in the tornado’s path. Telephone lines were wrapped like spaghetti and power lines shortened out with displays of fireworks as they touched the ground.

Some farm animals, mostly dairy cattle, were trapped and some were killed in collapsing barns. One famer, Melvin Grewe of Dorchester, was taken to Taylor County Memorial Hospital, Medford, with minor injuries.

Gangs of work crews from General Telephone Company, Northern States Power Company, Taylor Electrical Cooperative and other public service companies serving the area converged, working through the night in an attempt to restore services to the area.