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Sussex Today
By the People, for the People
Tornado Rips Through Sussex, Causing Widespread Damage
Storms and a confirmed tornado leave businesses and homes devastated in the Village of Sussex.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:00am
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A powerful tornado leaves a trail of destruction in the Village of Sussex, exposing the raw power of nature's fury.Sussex TodayA tornado struck the Village of Sussex, Wisconsin on Tuesday evening, causing significant damage to commercial buildings, homes, and infrastructure. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado hit the area around 7 p.m., with reports of roofs being torn off, windows blown out, and numerous large trees downed across the community.
Why it matters
Severe weather events like this tornado can have a major impact on local businesses and residents, disrupting lives and livelihoods. The damage in Sussex highlights the need for effective disaster preparedness and response plans to help communities recover from such natural disasters.
The details
The tornado caused extensive damage along Highway 164 between Hillside Road and Indian Grass Lane. A commercial building with nine small businesses had its roof torn off, while the Lisbon Presbyterian Church also lost its roof. At least a dozen large trees were downed by the powerful winds. Business owners reported losing thousands of dollars in equipment and property damage.
- The tornado struck the Village of Sussex around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency that confirmed a tornado hit the Sussex area on Tuesday evening.
Kevin Smith
Owner of Advanced Communication Specialists, a business that sustained significant damage from the tornado.
Roy Shelton
Owner of Anytime Garage Doors, another business impacted by the storm's destruction.
What they’re saying
“I walked to the other end, and it is not good. There's units where the roof is collapsed in, windows blown out back, garage doors are ripped off.”
— Kevin Smith, Owner, Advanced Communication Specialists
“I was in for an emergency service to go out and fix a broken garage door, and I was surprised to find this.”
— Roy Shelton, Owner, Anytime Garage Doors
What’s next
Local authorities and emergency services are working to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate cleanup and recovery efforts in the affected areas of Sussex.
The takeaway
This tornado serves as a stark reminder of the potential for severe weather to cause significant harm to communities. It underscores the importance of having robust disaster preparedness plans in place to protect lives and property when natural disasters strike.
