For the second day in a row, high winds continue to pound many parts of Wisconsin. The National Weather Service continues to report wind gusts of 50 miles an hour or more in many parts of the state.
Lori Getter with Wisconsin Emergency Management says utility customers seem to be suffering the most from the effects. Major electrical providers say thousands of customers are still without power. In northeastern Wisconsin alone, Getter says almost 70,000 customers were left without power throughout the day.
Utility companies also report that the persistent high winds are making it difficult to restore service to everyone. In some cases, Getter says those in rural areas could be without service for a couple of days.
The winds have also brought down trees and caused minor structural damage to buildings across the state. Recovery efforts in Racine County continue as well, after an EF-1 tornado touched down there Tuesday. Fortunately, Getter says no serious injuries have been reported.
The high winds and rain are also the possible cause of a sinkhole that formed along an earthen dam in Rusk County, on the Flambeau River. Getter says engineers are currently on the scene there and the water level is being dropped to relieve the pressure on the dam. Residents downstream have been notified, but no evacuations have been ordered.
The high winds are expected to continue across most of the state through at least tonight.