SPC Stats

Path length: 16 miles

Width:  440 yards

Fatalities:  0

Injuries:  27

Rating:  F3

County:  Rusk

Tornado Path

Click Map To Enlarge

SPC coordinates:  Start: 45.47 / -91.13   End:  45.47 / -90.82      

Note:  Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.

Summary

Six tornadoes were confirmed on September 2, 2002, all in the state of Wisconsin. There were 2 F0s, 2 F1s, 1 F2 and 1 F3. We take a look at that F3 in this summary. The tornado struck around 420pm on Labor Day 2002 just to the west of downtown Ladysmith. Per an article via the NWS Milwaukee, the tornado produced F0 damage at the beginning of the path then strengthened to F2 at the intersection of highways 8 and 27 on the west side of Ladysmith. F3 damage was found just east of the railroad tracks near the Baptist church and through the downtown business area.

In downtown, 40 buildings were destroyed and 159 were damaged in an area four blocks wide and 16 blocks long. The Baptist Church was blown off its foundation. The NWS noted that during the survey, they noticed the building “had been barely attached to the foundation.” A pickup truck was thrown into a tree and two old brick buildings collapsed.

The tornado produced F2 damage on the east side of Ladysmith and decreased in intensisty as it continued its eastward path. Several rural farm homes were hit with F1 winds. The tornado moved 16 miles at 30 mph. Overall damage was estimated at $20 million. There were 27 injuries reported by Rusk County Emergency Management, most minor.

Images via Wisconsin Emergency Management

Full collection found here:  

Damage to buildings by an F3 tornado in Ladysmith.
Home damage in Ladysmith.
Significant damage in downtown Ladysmith.
Vehicle demolished by an F3 tornado in Ladysmith.
Barn collapsed by the tornadic winds.

Newspaper Clippings

Sources:

The Storm Prediction Center

NCDC Storm Events Database

September 2002 Storm Data Publication

Top Weather Events of the Decade via NWS Milwaukee

Wisconsin Emergency Management Images and Historic Materials

newspapers.com

Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Page 991.

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Newspaper clips are embedded via newspapers.com. Please see their terms and conditions.

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