Three people were killed and seven others were rescued after a boat capsized in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on Friday when a powerful storm hit it, authorities said.A severe storm swept through southern Wisconsin, causing strong winds, heavy rain and widespread damage that prompted multiple emergency calls and capsized the ship, the Associated Press reported.Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Hausner confirmed the deaths but said authorities had not released details about the victims or those who were rescued.The Lake Geneva Police Department is investigating the incident.The boat was carrying 10 people, including 6 adults and 4 children, and they were trying to escape safely, but strong winds and huge waves swamped the boat, causing it to take on water, capsize and sink.Six adults and one child were rescued, but despite efforts to save them, three children were later found and pronounced dead, Fox6 Now reported. All four children were wearing life jackets when the boat capsized.
Powerful storm leaves trail of destruction
The boating tragedy occurred when severe thunderstorms rolled through Walworth County around 12:10 p.m. local time, prompting multiple 911 calls reporting damage to trees, power lines, vehicles and people trapped in buildings.Hausner said deputies responded immediately but faced delays as roads were blocked by downed trees and live power lines.“There are wires everywhere. We urge people to stay away,” Hausner was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.Authorities sought assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to respond to the emergency.Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared a state of emergency, saying one person was hit by a falling tree and suffered minor injuries. Power outages also occurred in several areas of the city.
Storm disrupts holiday weekend
The National Weather Service is warning of severe thunderstorms across much of the eastern United States, with damaging wind gusts posing the greatest threat.The New York Times quoted meteorologist John Gagan as saying that as a squall line passed through southern Wisconsin, local weather stations near Lake Geneva recorded wind gusts of about 65 mph.The storm knocked out power to nearly 300,000 homes and businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, PowerOutage reported. com.Lake Geneva is a popular vacation destination in southeastern Wisconsin that attracts visitors from the Chicago area, with its population nearly doubling over the holiday weekend.The same storm system also forced several Midwestern communities to cancel Independence Day celebrations, postpone fireworks displays and issue new weekend thunderstorm warnings.
