Searing heat and storms mar holiday with 3 children dead in Wisconsin and utility outages widespread

Severe storms and a heat wave disrupted the July Fourth holiday weekend across the U.S., resulting in widespread power outages and tragic fatalities. In Wisconsin, three children died when their boat capsized on Geneva Lake during a sudden, severe storm, despite all four children on board wearing life vests. This incident occurred as storms downed trees and power lines across multiple states, leaving nearly one million utility customers without power by Saturday afternoon. The storms also caused cancellations of holiday festivals and fireworks displays in the Midwest and Northeast. Meanwhile, parts of the Northeast experienced soaring temperatures, with triple-digit heat returning before predicted storms offered relief.

Three children died after a recreational motorboat carrying 10 passengers, including four children, capsized on Wisconsin's Geneva Lake during a sudden, intense storm on Friday afternoon. Seven other individuals, one child and six adults, were rescued by emergency responders. The boat sank as it attempted to reach safety amid deteriorating weather conditions. Officials confirmed all children were wearing lifejackets. The storm also caused widespread damage in the Lake Geneva area, including toppled trees and power lines. An investigation into the capsizing is ongoing.

Three people died and seven others were rescued on Friday after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake in southern Wisconsin during a strong storm. The storm also caused widespread damage in Walworth County, including toppled trees, downed power lines, and damaged buildings, leading to multiple injuries. Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared an emergency, and one person sustained minor injuries from a falling tree. Authorities received numerous calls for assistance due to damage and people trapped in buildings, but response efforts were hindered by debris. The Walworth County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, and police in Lake Geneva are also involved. The severe weather prompted cancellations of holiday festivals and fireworks displays in the region.