Three people died and seven others were rescued after a boat capsized on Geneva Lake in southern Wisconsin on Friday afternoon, according to Walworth County authorities. The vessel, carrying six adults and four children, was overwhelmed by high winds and rough waves as a powerful line of thunderstorms swept across the region. All four children on board were wearing life jackets, local officials said, but three of them could not be revived after being pulled from the water. US media reports, citing unnamed sources, indicated the three deceased were children, though authorities have not yet released the victims’ identities or ages.

The storm struck Walworth County around midday, triggering a cascade of emergency calls for downed trees, live power lines, and people trapped in buildings. The county undersheriff said deputies were delayed because roads were blocked by debris, and hospitals diverted patients as the volume of storm-related injuries strained local capacity. Lake Geneva’s mayor declared a local emergency, noting one person was hurt by a falling tree and wide areas lost electricity. The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the area, with wind gusts recorded near 65 mph.

Geneva Lake, a holiday destination that draws large numbers of visitors from the Chicago area, sees its population nearly double on long weekends, placing additional pressure on emergency services. The same storm system forced several Midwestern communities to cancel Independence Day celebrations and postpone fireworks displays. Power outages affected nearly 300,000 homes and businesses across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.

The capsizing is under joint investigation by the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Authorities have not confirmed the precise circumstances that caused the boat to take on water and sink, nor have they released further details about the victims. The incident remains an active investigation, and officials have urged the public to avoid the area while crews work to restore power and clear debris.