Walworth County farm destroyed after EF1 tornado
The National Weather Service said the tornado blew through the town of Darien Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service said the tornado blew through the town of Darien Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service said the tornado blew through the town of Darien Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service confirms two tornadoes hit Southeast Wisconsin Tuesday, an EF0 starting in Sharon, and an EF-1 in Darien.
In Darien, the severe weather destroyed a horse farm, though no injuries were reported.
Ninety-mile-per-hour winds ripped through Five O Stables in seconds, according to Sandy and Ed Anderson, the farm's owners.
"There were a lot of memories in this arena." Sandy Anderson said.
The barn housed 26 horses, lovingly cared for at Five O Stables for years. None of the horses were harmed in the storm.
"We never left their side. We stayed in here with them because they're our family," Sandy Anderson said.
The Andersons were in the barn feeding their horses, when they said the tornado hit. The wind brought down the roof and leveled a large part of the barn, just feet away from where the couple was standing.
"You know they say it sounds like a train? That's what he heard," Sandy Anderson said about her husband.
"She had just got in that door. She just got in about 10 feet before it hit the garage door. She shouldn't be here," her husband, Ed said.
Pieces of the barn were thrown around the farm and across the street. Metal was twisted up in trees and the Andersons lost power.
A legion of family, friends and community members came by to dig through the rubble Wednesday. Rebuilding won't be easy, but the Andersons won't be doing it alone.
"We truly appreciate everybody," Sandy Anderson said.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado was on the ground for less than a mile and lasted just a few minutes. But the Andersons said the impact it had will linger much longer.
"It was close," Sandy Anderson said.
The Andersons are still waiting to hear from their insurance company about how much the damage will cost. Friends of the Andersons have set up a donation fund called "Five O Benefit Fund" at the First National Bank and Trust in Darien.
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