July 5, 2026 6:30p
(WGTD)---Winds of up to 100 mph caused the death and destruction that occurred Friday afternoon in Walworth County.
A team from the National Weather Service inspected damage through the central portion of the county from south of Darien through Delvan Lake to Como. It determined that downburst winds--and not a tornado--ripped through the area with estimated peak winds of 90-100 mph.
Three children died on Geneva Lake when their boat capsized. 5-10 barns were destroyed or heavily damaged. Three empty silos collapsed and fell on motorcyclists who had sought shelter from the storm. Two were injured.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning had been in effect for Walworth County. In the hours before its arrival, forecasters had been monitoring the line of storms as it approached along the state line from the west.
Alexandria Binanti, Executive Director of Downtown Lake Geneva, has established a GoFundMe account in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity to aid in uninsured home repairs, tree removal, temporary housing and basic necessities. "The reality is that most of the people affected are not the wealthy homeowners people often picture when they think of Lake Geneva," Binanti wrote online. "Beyond the mansions are working families, retirees on fixed incomes, young families just starting out, small business employees and neighbors who simply do not have the resources to absorb a disaster like this."
As of early Sunday evening, the fund had raised just over $7,000. Other accounts have also been established.
Authorities have not yet identified the dead children.
Power was still out to hundreds of Walworth County homes and businesses. Some high voltage lines were among those power lines taken down in the storm.
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