From the archives: Deadly tornado leveled Barneveld in 1984
On June 8, 1984, an F5 tornado ripped through the Iowa County village of Barneveld, killing nine people and destroying most of the small community 25 miles west of Madison.
The powerful tornado had winds over 300 mph, and it measured an estimated 400 yards across as it plowed through Barneveld and neighboring Black Earth. The 13-mile path of destruction included every tree and 90 percent of the buildings in Barneveld. Here's a look back at the devastation.
Barneveld aerial, 1984
A tornado ripped through Barneveld in the middle of the night on June 8, 1984. In the morning light, it became visible that most of the town had been demolished.
Barneveld car lot, 1984
The Barneveld tornado turned a used car lot into rubble, but the bell tower (in background) remained unscathed.
Lutheran church in Barneveld, 1984
A bell tower survived at the Lutheran church.
Barneveld tornado wreckage, 1984
Barneveld tornado, view of downtown, 1984
An aerial view of the downtown looking south. Highway 18-151 runs in the center of the photo.
Barneveld aftermath, 1984
Barneveld was devastated by a tornado that killed nine, injured scores and damaged 90 percent of the town's buildings.
Barneveld tornado rescue, 1984
Barneveld tornado devastation, 1984
Barneveld tornado, 1984
Barneveld power line, 1984
Barneveld aerial view, 1984
Aerial photo of Barneveld, Wis. after a tornado leveled the town in June of 1984.
Barneveld damage, 1984
Barneveld lay in ruins after a tornado leveled the town in June 1984.
Barneveld tornado aerial, 1984
A scene of devastation greets the dawn in Barneveld the morning of June 8, 1984, after a monster tornado roared through after midnight.
Barneveld town meeting, 1984
A town meeting begins with people holding hands and the Rev. Bob Twiton and the Rev. Jann Weaver leading them in prayer.
Arneson home, 1984
Lois Arneson is comforted by a friend, Doug Carden, while her husband, Carl, shows the strain of the long day. Their house is behind.
Sweep through town, 1984
Just after dawn on June 8, 1984, rescue workers begin a second sweep of Barneveld to see if anyone else had been injured or killed in the F5 tornado. Nine people died and some 100 were injured.
Barneveld tornado wreckage, 1984
Barneveld tornado devastation, 1984
Barneveld power line, 1984
Sweep through town, 1984
Just after dawn on June 8, 1984, rescue workers begin a second sweep of Barneveld to see if anyone else had been injured or killed in the F5 tornado. Nine people died and some 100 were injured.
Barneveld tornado wreckage, 1984
Barneveld aftermath, 1984
Barneveld was devastated by a tornado that killed nine, injured scores and damaged 90 percent of the town's buildings.
Barneveld tornado, 1984
Barneveld tornado aerial, 1984
A scene of devastation greets the dawn in Barneveld the morning of June 8, 1984, after a monster tornado roared through after midnight.
Sweep through town, 1984
Just after dawn on June 8, 1984, rescue workers begin a second sweep of Barneveld to see if anyone else had been injured or killed in the F5 tornado. Nine people died and some 100 were injured.
The main threat will be winds to 60 mph, with a secondary threat for large hail, as well as localized flooding from the storms projected to move through southern Wisconsin Thursday afternoon through early Friday, according to forecasters.
The primary threat will be winds gusting to 60 mph, with a lower threat for large hail, while heavy rain may cause localized flooding, according to forecasters.
The highest severe weather threat will be in far southern Wisconsin near the Illinois border, with tornadoes possible, according to forecasters.
The two rounds of storms are expected Wednesday afternoon and night, but the development of the second round will depend on how fast the first round clears out, forecasters say.
Q. It’s rained a bit lately. So is the drought over yet in southern Wisconsin?Â
Storms that could be severe and include damaging winds may offer some relief for southern Wisconsin as heat index values soar into the 90s on Tuesday, according to forecasters.
After another steamy day with heat indices reaching around 100, severe storms will be possible Wednesday afternoon and evening that could bring tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds to southern Wisconsin, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service is working on a damage survey Monday in Iowa County, so the number of confirmed tornadoes might rise.
Areas north and west of Madison are under the greatest risk for large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and possible tornadoes.
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