WESTBY, Wis. — Nearly every home and business in the community of Westby received some kind of damage following a recent severe weather event, with some properties facing severe destruction. Multiple supercell thunderstorms swept through the region on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, dropping wind-driven, baseball-sized hail measuring up to 3.5 inches in diameter.
Many homeowners said their roofs, siding, windows, and sometimes multiple vehicles were completely destroyed by the falling ice and high winds. By the morning after the storms, contractors, towing companies, and auto glass repair crews were crawling the little town all day to assess the widespread destruction.
The ability to recover will depend on the quality and level of insurance for many. State consumer protection officials have urged homeowners and vehicle owners to document all damage, work closely with their insurance companies, and be extremely cautious of out-of-state “storm chasers” utilizing high-pressure tactics to solicit repair business.
The financial toll on local inventories was also heavily apparent. John Green, known locally as the “Lawn Mower Guy,” had 26 mowers in his driveway for sale, and every one was damaged in some way. Down the street, BlackJack Auto in Westby had 16 cars on their lot, and all were damaged.
In response to the severe weather, United Way 2-1-1 has been officially activated. Residents and business owners across Vernon County are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to report damages to their properties, which will help local emergency management gain vital situational awareness regarding the full extent of the community’s unmet needs.
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