Three individuals lost their lives while seven others were rescued Friday following the capsizing of a boat in Geneva Lake during a severe storm. The storm impacted southern Wisconsin, as reported by the Walworth County Sheriff’s department.
The storm also resulted in numerous injuries and caused extensive damage. Trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and buildings suffered damage. Tom Hausner, undersheriff for Walworth County, shared these details, although further information about the deceased and rescued individuals remains unavailable.
Investigations are underway by Lake Geneva police. However, additional information from officials in Lake Geneva was not promptly available.
Mayor Todd Krause declared an emergency following the storm and mentioned that one person incurred minor injuries from a fallen tree. He noted several sections of the city faced power outages.
According to Hausner, the sheriff’s department received numerous 911 calls regarding damage and individuals trapped in buildings. Deputies responded swiftly but faced challenges due to obstructed roads by fallen trees and power lines.
“Power lines are all over the place. We are urging people to stay away,” Hausner stated.
Remedial measures included requesting assistance from neighboring counties’ law enforcement and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Geneva Lake is a popular destination for tourists from Chicago and other regions. Hausner noted that Walworth County’s population significantly increases during holiday weekends.
The severe weather prompted several Midwest cities to cancel holiday events and postpone fireworks displays. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Lake Geneva, forecasting heavy rainfall and prolonged showers into the Independence Day weekend.