SPC Stats
Path length: 19 miles
Width:Β 300 yards
Fatalities:Β 0
Injuries:Β 20
Rating:Β F4
County:Β Chippewa
A significant tornado was given a rating of F4 hit parts of Chippewa County, WI, including the NW part of the town of Bloomer on July 30, 1977. Β This was one of 2 tornadoes to hit parts of Chippewa County on this day, and there were 5 total tornadoes confirmed in the state of Wisconsin. Β
This devastating event began at Cooks Valley, about 2 miles west of Bloomer. Β The tornado clipped the NW part of the town. Approximately 50 homes were demolished. Β 100-150 other homes and businesses sustained damage. Β The tornado traveled a total of 19-20 miles. Β After leaving Bloomer, it remained in sparsely populated areas. Β The tornado ended near LaRose Lake. Β There was some farm damage at the end of the path. Β
I found a couple of fascinating papers authored or co-authored by Ted Fujita. Β He flew over this path, taking aerial photos. Β I included some of his findings in an area below our track map.Β Β
Storm Data Entry
A devastating tornado first touched down at 6:35pm CST at Cooks Valley near County Hwy. A and Hwy. 40 which is about two miles west of Bloomer destroying some farms.Β Β The tornado moved into extreme northwest Bloomer where about 50 homes were demolished.Β Β 100 to 150 homes and businesses along the stormsβ path sustained minor to major damage.Β Β Major damage occurred on a farm as the storm crossed Hwy. 64 after leaving Bloomer.Β Β The path of the tornado continued through a sparsely populated area for about 16 miles northeast of Bloomer.Β Β The tornado finally lifted east of County Hwy. E near LaRose Lake.Β Β Some farms were destroyed along the latter portion of the tornadoβs path with considerable damage occurring to crops and farm machinery.Β Β Total damage by the tornado amounted to approximately six million dollars.
Tornado Path
Click Map To Enlarge
SPC coordinates: Β Start: 45.1 / -91.53Β Β End:Β 45.27 / -91.22Β Β Β Β
Note: Β Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.
Aerial Survey and Photography of Tornado and Microburst Damage by Ted Fujita and Bryan Smith
I found a paper entitled “Aerial Survey and Photography of Tornado and Microburst Damage” by Ted Fujita and Bryan Smith from October 1991. Β “Presented in this paper is the overview of the results of the aerial photogrammetric interpretation of tornadic and non-tornadic high winds documented from 1965 to the present.” Β In the conclusion area, “An organized effort of fact-finding aerial survey, photography, and mapping of selected U.S. tornadoes by the Fujita group gave rise to the identification of the multi-scale surface winds associated with tornadoes. These wind systems are mesocyclone, tornado, and suction vortex which are blended into a complicated system of vortices.” Β Pictures of the results of these winds from the Bloomer tornado were includes and I have extracted to include in this summary. Β Read the full paper here.
Workbook of Tornadoes and High Winds for Engineering Applications
Newspaper Clippings
Sources:
July 1977 Storm Data Publication
Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Page 1196.
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