UNDATED (WSAU) Thunderstorms that produced hail and high winds caused widespread power outages in Central and Northern Wisconsin. Wind gusts of 70-miles-per-hour were reported.
Wisconsin Public Service says nearly 29,000 of their customers were without power at the height of the storm on Thursday morning. By 1pm on Thursday the number of homes still off-line was down to 10,000.
Eagle River was hardest hit with nearly 5,000 homes and businesses without electricity. There were also widespread outages in Tomahawk and Junction City. Scattered outages were also reported in Rhinelander, Mosinee, Merrill, and Wausau.
The same storm system also knocked out power to nearly 50,000 customers in greater Duluth. City water supplies were also impacted after a pumping station lost electricity.
As the storms leave the area, some of the hottest weather of the summer will move into the area. Temperatures will rise into the 90s on Thursday and Friday with the heat index above 100.
