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Saturday's storm brings tornado to Rock County
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JANESVILLE - The National Weather Service in Sullivan has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado caused structural damage to east central Rock County during Saturday's storm, according to a news release issued by Sgt. Shena Kohler of the Rock County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Bureau.

The storm was about 50 yards wide and traveled about 5 miles at speeds estimated around 100 mph, according to the release.

A large barn, in its path of destruction, was destroyed at 13430 E. County A. Nobody or animals were injured.

Another structure also was damaged at 13129 E. County A in addition to trees in this area where power lines also were knocked down, according to the release.

At about 2:45 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Rock County after radar indicated a rotation in the east central portion of the county. Reports of debris and tree damage also were received in various locations throughout the area.

At 3:02 p.m., the Rock County 911 Communications Center received a call regarding substantial storm damages on East County A, near the Rock County/Walworth County line.

The local emergency management bureau and the National Weather Service searched the area and completed damage assessments from North Scharine Road, southeast across East County A continuing to North County Line Road.

The bureau has been in contact with residents in the area and will continue to follow up on the storm damages with Wisconsin Emergency Management.

A line of thunderstorms that rolled through south central Wisconsin midday Saturday left primarily damage to trees in Janesville, said a supervisor at the Rock County Communication Center.

"We don't have anything substantial; mostly trees down and a few blocking roads," said Michele McMahon.

The National Weather Service in Sullivan issued a severe thunderstorm warning just before 1:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. for northwestern Rock County and all of Green County in south central Wisconsin.

That warning was extended several times before a tornado watch was issued to last until 10 p.m. for 19 Wisconsin counties, including Green, Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties.

The thunderstorm warning expired at 3:30 p.m., McMahon said.