LIVE UPDATES: Wind gusts slam SE Wisconsin, knock out power for thousands
MILWAUKEE - Extremely power wind gusts barreled through southeast Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, April 27, and knocked out power for thousands.
Roof damage of Franklin business
4:19 p.m.:
The Franklin Fire Department reported that high winds caused significant roof damage to a large industrial building on W. Oakwood Park Drive.
Wind damage at Franklin business (Credit: Franklin Fire Department)
A large area of roofing material was ripped off, causing two roof-mounted HVAC units to be toppled over. That created a natural gas leak.
First responders responded and dealt with the hazards created by the structural damage and gas leaks. No injuries were reported.
Wind damage at Franklin business (Credit: Franklin Fire Department)
Power outage latest
4:12 p.m.:
As of 4:12 p.m., more than 40,000 We Energies customers were listed as without power.
Monitor the tally on your own by visiting the We Energies Outage Map.
Photo gallery across SE Wisconsin
3:35 p.m.:
Viewers submitted photos of additional damage across southeast Wisconsin.
Milwaukee response
3:08 p.m.:
A news release from the Office of Milwaukee Mayor said the Milwaukee Fire Department has responded to an unusually large number of reports of wires down. The Forestry Division of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works has received nearly one hundred emergency calls for downed trees and branches. And, Port Milwaukee is assessing roof damage to two warehouses on its grounds.
"I greatly appreciate the quick responses from city crews to this unusual weather event," Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in the news release. "I ask everyone to be cautious and patient as crews address storm damage. Stay clear of downed wires, fallen trees and other potentially dangerous situations."
Power outages increase
3:01 p.m.:
As of 3:01 p.m., more than 46,900 We Energies customers were listed as without power.
Monitor the tally on your own by visiting the We Energies Outage Map.
19th and Nash in Milwaukee
2:50 p.m.:
Damage from the winds appears to be widespread in Milwaukee. This is the scene from 19th and Nash in Milwaukee.
19th and Nash damage in Milwaukee
Large branches down
2:38 p.m.:
The damage from what FOX6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Wachs suspects was a downburst-like gust, has caused tree damage in many areas throughout the area. We have reports of large tree branches down in Wilson Park.
There was also at least one tree down reported in Greendale.
Tree down on Churchway in Greendale, courtesy of Steven Breiling
Power outages
2:33 p.m.:
As of 2:33 p.m., nearly 45,000 We Energies customers were listed as without power. That number was higher earlier in the afternoon.
Monitor the tally on your own by visiting the We Energies Outage Map.
Tree damage
2:31 p.m.:
Trees have been reported down in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood on Booth Street between Locust and Chambers.
Tree down on Booth Street in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood
Credit: Carson Kellogg
A similar scene was spotted at Lydell Preschool in Whitefish Bay.
Tree split at Lydell preschool in Whitefish Bay
Gusts cause damage
2:15 p.m.:
Strong winds raced through the FOX6 viewing area between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport recorded a wind gust of 77 miles an hour.
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FOX6 News is also receiving updates on damage throughout the region – including tree limbs that crashed down onto an SUV in in the Whitefish Bay area.
Wind damage in Whitefish Bay
Wind damage in Whitefish Bay
FOX6 News will update this post was more information becomes available.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by FOX6 Weather Experts and the We Energies Outage Map.