The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for central Milwaukee County until 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18, putting Milwaukee weather under the most serious alert level as storms moved southeast through the area. Residents in the warning area were told to get to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and stay away from windows.
At 6:59 p.m., the agency said severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes were lined up from Milwaukee to Greenfield and moving southeast at 45 mph. It also warned that flying debris could be dangerous and that the storms could damage roofs, windows, vehicles and trees.
Milwaukee County and Waukesha County
The warning for Milwaukee County ran until 7:30 p.m. A separate tornado warning covered central and southern Waukesha County until 7:15 p.m., giving people in both warning areas a short window to shelter before the alerts expired.
At 6:50 p.m., the National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was over Elm Grove and moving southeast at about 45 mph. By 6:59 p.m., that storm line had extended from Milwaukee to Greenfield, which put more people in the path of the same fast-moving system.
Residents in the warning area
The agency said people outdoors, in vehicles or in mobile homes should seek shelter in the nearest substantial building. A tornado watch means the conditions are primed for a tornado, but no tornado has formed; a tornado warning means a tornado is imminent or one has already touched down.
Adrienne Davis, a general assignment and breaking news reporter, was identified as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contact for tips or stories. The open question for people in the warned areas is whether any tornado touched down or caused damage before the warnings expired.
Aug. 18 evening timeline
The sequence matters for anyone trying to judge risk in real time. Elm Grove was under threat first at 6:50 p.m., then the broader line of storms reached from Milwaukee to Greenfield by 6:59 p.m., and the warnings remained active past that point for Milwaukee County and Waukesha County residents still trying to shelter.
