GILLETT, Wisconsin – A powerful wave of severe weather slammed into Oconto County Wednesday evening, leaving behind a trail of wreckage across the Gillett area. According to the National Weather Service, a tornado touched down around 5:30 PM, shattering structures and littering Highway 22 with debris.
Early this Thursday morning, the FOX 11 Storm Chaser was on site surveying the extensive damage, with one of the hardest-hit locations being Telford Equipment Consulting, where part of a building was blown clean off.
Emergency management director Jon Spice praised the rapid response of first responders, who arrived swiftly on the scene. No injuries have been reported so far. “We were definitely lucky,” said Spice. “It could have been much worse. Some areas west of us may have taken a harder hit.”
In response to the storm’s impact and the ongoing power outages throughout Northeast Wisconsin, Spice confirmed that plans are underway to set up a cooling shelter where residents can escape the heat and recharge devices.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service also confirmed reports of a tornado south of Clintonville, located in Waupaca County. Officials will be in the field today conducting a full damage assessment and working to verify the tornado’s intensity.
The violent Wednesday storms have now pushed the region into Storm Watch again for Thursday afternoon, with more scattered thunderstorms expected. Forecasters warn that some of today’s storms could become strong or severe, capable of producing damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
Power companies like WPS and We Energies are actively managing ongoing outages, as crews work to restore electricity across impacted areas.
