Damaging Winds and Lightning Strikes in Wisconsin, August 26, 2000

Scattered severe storms with downburst winds gusting to around 52 knots (60 mph), resulting in large trees being pushed over or tree branches knocked down. The felled trees blocked a trailer park near Johnson Creek for several hours until cleanup crews could clear the debris. A lightning bolt started an attic fire in a Pewaukee home (Waukesha Co.). This fire would ultimately spread and cause considerable damage before being pt out. Rainfall amounts of 1.50 to 1.90 inches were reported within 1 to 3 hours in Wales and just south of Dousman (Waukesha Co.). However, no flooding was noted. Several lightning strikes in and around Milwaukee County knocked out some power transformers or other lines which resulted in the lose of power to about 10,000 customers. A common emergency communications line serving the cities of Delafield, Hartland, Chenequa, Pewaukee, Nashotah, Merten, Stone bank, and North Lake was struck by lightning and knocked out of service. Repair bills were about $10,000. Synoptically, a surface trough and an upper level short-wave moved southeast through Wisconsin, setting the stage for the cluster of storms to pass through.