Storm and high wind hits Colby, local areas

By Kevin O’Brien

The neighborhood across the highway from Packaging Corporation of America in Colby became a debris field last week, as winds from a supercharged storm system sent pieces of the company’s tin roof into several nearby properties and the city’s softball fields.

An unseasonable thunderstorm ripped through Central Wisconsin on the night of Dec. 15, melting away several inches of freshly fallen snow, taking down trees and power lines and peeling off a portion of PCA’s roof.

The storm system, which generated wind speeds of over 70 miles per hour, tore several pieces of PCA’s tin roof off its building on the west side on STH 13 and sent them flying into the neighborhood on the other side of the highway.

Pieces of the roof could be found as far away as the city’s softball field on South East Street.

Rooftop air conditioners and ventilation units were also torn down or damaged by the high winds on Wednesday night.

A forklift and other equipment were deployed Thursday morning to remove strips of shredded tin from yards and trees.

The city’s main softball field sustained extensive damage, with a light pole falling on a portion of the fence and the stairs on the scorekeeper’s booth becom- ing detached and blowing several feet away.

Main Street in Colby had several downed trees, including a large pine tree that was uprooted in a resident’s front yard. Three tornadoes, two in Neillsville and one in Stanley were reported that night.