Expand / Collapse search
☰

Storms, gusting winds down tree limbs, cause damage in Racine County

By and FOX6 News Digital Team
Updated  July 26, 2023 2:08pm CDT
Weather
FOX6 News Milwaukee

Racine County storm damage

Severe weather raced through parts of southeast Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 26. The wicked weather left behind a path of destruction in some neighborhoods.

Severe weather raced through parts of southeast Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 26. The wicked weather left behind a path of destruction in some neighborhoods.

In Racine, residents at an apartment building cannot go back into their building. Racine fire officials say there was a partial roof collapse from the heavy rain. Nobody was hurt – and everyone evacuated from the building safely. 

Partial roof collapse due to heavy rain, Racine

"They cleared the  water from the top, apparently it was a lot I didn't think it was that bad, I didn't think the rain was that bad, it was storming," said Miles Derosir, apartment building resident. 

"It was bad you could see damage to the roof, the neighbors next door, their fence, their driveway, our house a little bit of damage to the gutter, I couldn’t believe how centralized it was just to one house though," said Lisa Baker, apartment building resident. 

Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, parts of the Racine Reefpoint Marina were damaged by the severe winds. Marina officials say 40 to 60 boats were connected to one of the docks – and broke free. Officials say the affected docks include the entire east side – but all docks and boats have been secured.

Storm damage at Racine's Reefpoint Marina

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

The strength of Wednesdays storms was also demonstrated by the video shared from Union Grove (above). Heavy rain and gusting winds snapped tree limbs at one viewer's residence. 

Heavy rain, gusting winds pound Union Grove

A FOX6 News viewer shared video of the heavy rain and powerful winds that ripped through Union Grove on Wednesday afternoon, July 26.

Lastly, FOX6 News viewer Jeremy Oman shared video of damage near Kearney Avenue.

Storm damage near Kearney Avenue in Racine

FOX6 News viewer Jeremy Oman shared video of storm damage near Kearney Avenue in Racine.

In the wake of the storms, the FOX6 Weather Experts say we can expect to see the temperatures rise the next day or two. 

Friday, Racine Mayor Cory Mason's office issued the following statement:

Per Chief Building Inspector and Chief Hansen/Chief Wolf: the building's structural engineer made recommendations to the building owner to correct the issue with the roof. The building owner contracted with a contractor to start work on it. They are now responsible for making the changes. The area in front of the building on 3rd street will remain closed and residents will not be able to return to their dwellings until the building is taken care of. Neighboring businesses should be able to reopen.

Editor's note: The statement was provided two days after the story was originally posted and aired on FOX6 News.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android

FOX6 Weather Extras

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX6 News app

FOX Weather app

MAPS AND RADAR

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

SCHOOL AND BUSINESS CLOSINGS

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

FOX6 WEATHER IN SOCIAL MEDIA