PHOTOS: Thunderstorms rip through Portage County, thousands still without power
By Joe Bachman and Taylor Hale
PORTAGE COUNTY — Hundreds are still reeling from the effects of a powerful storm that swept through the area on Saturday night.
A National Weather Service (NWS) flash flood warning was issued from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 20 as severe weather sweeps through the state. Destructively strong winds, hail, and rain have leftover 3,600 Stevens Point residents without power after the initial front, states a Wisconsin Public Service report.
As of Sunday afternoon, power has been restored to 94,000 WPS customers, though 82,000 still remain without power at the time of publication.
According to WPS, it could be “multiple days” before residents have their power fully restored.
The underpass near Michigan and Patch Street was severely flooded, causing at least one car to stall and get stuck in its high waters around 11 a.m. Church Street saw similar flooding, leading to dense traffic build-up in the early afternoon.
First responders have been busy throughout central Wisconsin as residents experience weather-related issues. Signage, trees, personal property and other items were scattered through area streets from the heavy gusts. Uprooted trees on Clark Street near downtown caused sidewalk and minor traffic issues.
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