Six adults and four children were on a boat that capsized near Big Foot Beach during a severe thunderstorm with high winds, but three children died and some people are wondering how the three children wearing life jackets were missing (Derrick Rose). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Boat capsizes on Wisconsin lake, killing 3 children (Abril Preciado/FOX6 News Milwaukee). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin was hit by severe thunderstorms around noon on Friday, July 3, 2026, which caused damage throughout the area of Lake Geneva and Walworth County. A disaster declaration was issued by Mayor Todd W. Krause. Also, the City of Lake Geneva Emergency Management Department, in coordination with Walworth County and Wisconsin Emergency Management, has activated the 211 hotline for residents to report storm damage.
According to the National Weather Service Office in Milwaukee, the NWS Storm Survey for Walworth County regarding damage from south of Darien through Lake Delavan to Como was caused by downburst winds and not a tornado. The NWS has reported a wind speed of 100 MPH two miles southeast of Darien, Wisconsin, apparently estimated from the damage survey. A private weather station one mile south of Darien reported a wind speed of 63 MPH at 12:13 p.m.
Damage reports from the National Weather Service (NWS) in the area included …
Damaged outbuilding near Sharon at 12:02 p.m. (times estimated from radar unless indicated otherwise).
Reports of multiple trees and power lines down near Delavan Lake from damage at about 12:09 p.m.
Few tree limbs down and flag pole down about 12:10 p.m.
Multiple large limbs down and a few trees snapped near the top in Lyons at 12:22 p.m.
Large tree down Springfield Rd and Highway 120 about 12:26 p.m.
Two-foot diameter tree down four miles north northeast of Lake Geneva about 12:28 p.m.
Tree branches down near Pell Lake about 12:29 p.m.
There were three MABAS Box Alarms activated for storm related incidents in Walworth County.
MABAS Division 103 Box Alarm on Box #23-5 was activated about 12:21 PM for victims that were injured when they were sheltering near a farm silo (grain bin) that collapsed in the block of 2200 Highway 14 in Darien, Wisconsin.
MABAS Division 103 Box Alarm on Water Rescue Box #28-68 was activated about 12:53 PM for a capsized boat near Big Foot Beach that put about 10 people in the water, and resulted in the deaths of three children.
MABAS Division 103 Box Alarm (4th Alarm) on Box #28-99 activated by 3:00 p.m. and MABAS Division 103 Box Alarm (5th Alarm) on Box #28-99 activated by 3:42 p.m. for general storm damage in the area.
Storm damage Friday, July 3, 2026 in the Lake Geneva area in Walworth County, and aftermath clean up (Imani Fleming/WISN 12 News). YouTube Tips ⓘ
At the onset of the storm on Friday, July 3, 2026, the Lake Geneva Fire Department was requested to assist the Village of Walworth with a grain bin rescue. Due to the severity of the weather and the need to assess conditions within Lake Geneva’s own jurisdiction, the Lake Geneva Fire Department made the decision to decline the request at that time. Shortly thereafter, The Lake Geneva Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire, immediately followed by a water rescue near Big Foot Beach for a report of approximately 10 individuals in the water following a capsized boat. Three individuals were initially reported missing, and three children died in the capsized boat incident. Six adults, and four children had been in the boat when the boat capsized. The six adults and one child survived.
The Lake Geneva Fire Department explained that due to the high volume and severity of incidents in the City of Lake Geneva and surrounding jurisdictions, the Lake Geneva Fire Department activated a MABAS Disaster Box Alarm. The MABAS Disaster Box Alarm response brought more than 50 fire departments and agencies from Walworth, Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, Waukesha, and Milwaukee Counties in Wisconsin, as well as Lake, McHenry, and Boone Counties in Illinois. Many of these resources were strategically deployed throughout the our response area to ensure rapid response to additional calls, conduct damage assessments, and identify unreported hazards such as downed power lines, structural damage from fallen trees, and gas leaks. Remaining units were staged and ready to respond as needed. Including assisting neighboring fire departments.
According to the Lake Geneva Fire Department, this coordinated response allowed us to maintain uninterrupted service to our community. Between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., the Lake Geneva Fire Department responded to 75 calls for service, including …
the dive rescue near Big Foot Beach,
two structure fires,
two incidents involving trees on vehicles with entrapment,
one individual trapped under a fallen tree,
four ambulance requests,
one gas emergency,
one fire alarm activation, and
37 calls involving downed wires or electrical hazards.
The Lake Geneva Fire Department indicated that without the assistance of our mutual aid partners, it would not have been possible to deliver the level of service our community expects during an incident of this magnitude.
“We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our public safety partners who stand with us in service to this community. To our law enforcement agencies, our dedicated telecommunicators, and our hardworking public works teams—thank you for your continual support, quiet sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe and functioning every day. Your partnership means a great deal to us, and we are proud to work alongside you.
As we move beyond the first 48 hours, recovery efforts are ongoing, and significant work remains in the days ahead. We encourage residents to monitor the City of Lake Geneva’s social media channels and official website for continued updates, safety information, and recovery resources.
A disaster declaration has been issued by Mayor Krause. The City of Lake Geneva Emergency Management Department, in coordination with Walworth County and Wisconsin Emergency Management, has activated the 211 hotline for residents to report storm damage. Individuals in immediate need of food, shelter, or emergency assistance are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin/get-help.html and continue to monitor the City’s website at www.cityoflakegeneva.gov for updates.
In the days ahead, we encourage everyone to continue showing the compassion, patience, and concern that have already defined our community’s response. Please check on your neighbors, offer assistance where you are able, and continue supporting one another as we recover together.”
— Lake Geneva Fire Department
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