Three people died and seven others were rescued Friday after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake during a strong storm that passed through southern Wisconsin, according to an official.
Severe weather also caused numerous injuries and damage across Walworth County, where the lake is located. The storm toppled trees, downed power lines and damaged buildings, said Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s department. County authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting damage and people trapped in buildings.
Deputies responding to emergency calls faced delays due to downed power lines and trees blocking streets. "Power lines are all over the place. We are urging people to stay away," Hausner said.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s agency requested assistance from law enforcement in neighboring counties and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The city of Lake Geneva is investigating the boat capsizing. Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared an emergency, reporting that one person sustained minor injuries after being struck by a falling tree and that several areas of the city experienced power outages.
Geneva Lake is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from the Chicago area and beyond. The population of Walworth County nearly doubles during holiday weekends. The storms on Friday afternoon and evening led to the cancellation of holiday festivals and rescheduling of fireworks displays in multiple cities.
The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area, forecasting heavy rain for Friday with lingering showers into the Independence Day holiday and a continued chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.