National Weather Service confirms EF2 tornado tears path from Elon area to north of Harpers Ferry, across the river
Path of June 17 tornado in Allamakee County, into Wisconsin ... The map image above created by the National Weather Service shows the path the EF2 tornado traveled when it blew through eastern Allamakee County Wednesday, June 17 around 5 p.m. Starting about five miles east of Waukon in the area of Scenic Valley Drive about a mile north of its intersection with Elon Drive, the tornado’s path was determined to have angled slightly southeast, crossing Bakkum Road and traveling directly overtop the Elon area to also cross over Jeglum Road, Waterville Road about three miles north of Waterville, Gronna Drive and Lansing Harpers Road about two miles south of its Elon Drive intersection at Thompson’s Corner. Taking a more directly east path for a bit, the tornado continued across Ryan Hill Road and Collins Ridge Road approximately two miles north of Harpers Ferry before angling to the southeast again to cross Great River Road and ultimately continue on across the Mississippi River into Crawford County in Wisconsin before lifting just before Boscobel, WI and WI Highway 61 and then returning from the sky shortly after as an F1 tornado to continue across the northeast corner of Grant County in Wisconsin and further into Iowa County in Wisconsin. In all, the tornado is estimated by the National Weather Service to have traveled nearly 33 miles as an F2 storm (yellow line) for nearly 45 minutes at estimated peak wind speeds of 115 mph, and then returning as an F1 storm (green line) in Wisconsin for 20 miles and nearly a half-hour at estimated peak wind speeds of 105 mph.
Trees and farm outbuildings suffer brunt of damage but no injuries reported from abrupt June 17 storm
One of the strongest tornadoes recorded locally in 40 years ripped through the eastern middle of Allamakee County late Wednesday afternoon, June 17, starting right near the very center of the county and progressing slightly southeast before crossing the Mississippi River and continuing into Wisconsin at a total distance of nearly 33 miles traveled in around a 45-minute timeframe. Although no injuries or fatalities were reported from the quick-hitting storm, the tornado did leave significant damage to trees, farm buildings and fields, in addition to some home damage as it roared through Allamakee County.
Classified as an EF2 tornado (characterized by wind speeds between 113-135 mph on the Enhanced Fujita [EF] Scale), the National Weather Service reports that its follow-up survey estimated top wind speeds for the storm to be on the lower end of the F2 scale, being reported at a peak of 115 mph. With weather statistics predicting just a two-percent chance of a tornado spawning from the storm system that traveled through southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin that afternoon, both the quick appearance and the intensity and duration of its tornadic activity caught many by surprise, although not to the degree of bodily harm.
Following its investigative survey the next day of the area impacted by the storm, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued the following summary:
“Low pressure dropped through the Driftless Region during the afternoon hours of June 17, 2026. This system, combined with strong wind shear and a narrow axis of moisture and instability, produced a cluster of thunderstorms over southeast Minnesota that then spread into northeast Iowa. One rotating storm quickly intensified as it moved through Allamakee County, Iowa with a radar-confirmed tornado developing about 5 miles east of Waukon.
“This tornado continued to the east-southeast, crossing the Mississippi River into Crawford County, Wisconsin and producing damage up to EF2 magnitude. The tornado lifted just before reaching Boscobel, but a new tornado touched down about 4 miles ESE of Boscobel and continued east-southeast across northern Grant County into northwest Iowa County (NWS Milwaukee’s area). This second tornado was rated EF1. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries with either tornado. Significant tree damage was noted along its path, along with some destroyed farm outbuildings and minor damage to a few residences.”
The National Weather Service further describes the EF2 tornado as being on the ground in both Iowa and Wisconsin from approximately 4:43 p.m. until 5:37 p.m. From its survey, the Service also reports a maximum width of the tornado as being 250 yards, although local residents would argue that point after seeing the damage left in the wake of the storm.
As indicated in the accompanying map, the tornado is estimated to have first touched down about five miles east of Waukon in the area of Scenic Valley Drive about a mile north of its intersection with Elon Drive, with the tornado path then determined to have angled slightly southeast, crossing Bakkum Road and traveling directly overtop the Elon area to also cross over Jeglum Road, Waterville Road about three miles north of Waterville, Gronna Drive and Lansing Harpers Road about two miles south of its Elon Drive intersection at Thompson’s Corner.
Taking a more directly east path for a bit, the tornado continued across Ryan Hill Road and Collins Ridge Road approximately two miles north of Harpers Ferry before angling to the southeast again to cross Great River Road and ultimately continue on across the Mississippi River into Crawford County in Wisconsin before lifting just before Boscobel, WI and WI Highway 61 and then returning from the sky shortly after as an F1 tornado to continue across the northeast corner of Grant County in Wisconsin and further into Iowa County in Wisconsin.
Additional photos from the June 17 tornado can be found on Pages 14-15 of this week's edition of the Standard.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, June 24, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
